U.S. Sprinter Mitchell Gets Two-Year Ban

Dennis Mitchell, the U.S. 100-meter champion, was suspended for two years Tuesday for failing a drug test 16 months ago but will be eligible for the 2000 Olympics.

Track and field’s governing body said in Monte Carlo, Monaco, that his test showed high levels of testosterone. But Mitchell’s attorney said the sprinter has never taken testosterone or any other banned substance.

The International Amateur Athletic Federation’s arbitration panel concluded that Mitchell, the 100-meter bronze medalist in the 1992 Olympics and two-time bronze medalist at the World Track and Field Championships, was “guilty of a doping offense” and had no right of appeal.

The IAAF said Mitchell, 33, will be ineligible retroactively from April 1, 1998, until March 31, 2000. Performances by Mitchell during that period are “null and void.”

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Disgraced sprinter Ben Johnson, 37, met with top IAAF officials in a last-ditch bid for reinstatement before his fate is decided at the end of the month by the IAAF. . . . Kathy Jager, 56, of Phoenix had to undergo an examination to prove to officials in Newcastle, England, that she was female before going on to break a world record for her age in the 200 meters with a time of 28.32 seconds at the World Veterans’ Athletics Championships. The mother of two had been accused of being a man in a protest lodged by some competitors.

Pan American Games

High jumper Juana Rosario Arrendel, the Dominican Republic’s only gold medalist at the Pan American Games, was stripped of her medal after testing positive for the banned steroid stanozolol in Winnipeg, Canada.

Organizers also said another athlete’s test had come back positive, but no action will be taken unless the backup sample is also positive.

College Football

Three members of Ohio State’s acclaimed recruiting class have been refused entry because of academic deficiencies and the NCAA has declared three others ineligible.

The university’s admissions office refused the applications of defensive back Ziyier Walker of Fork Union (Va.) Academy, running back Richard Hall of Wyoming, Ohio, and receiver Maurice Harris of Jacksonville, Fla.

Meanwhile, offensive lineman Bryce Bishop, perhaps the most touted of the incoming freshmen, defensive back Curtis Crosby of Columbus’ Eastmoor High School and receiver Maurice Lee of Cleveland South all were turned down by the NCAA’s clearinghouse that determines freshman eligibility because of academic deficiencies.

Oregon State has reported possible violations in its football program to the NCAA and is waiting to learn what, if any, penalties will result. The infractions were discovered late last year.

Hockey

Defenseman Jiri Slegr agreed to a $2.3-million, two-year contract, becoming the first player to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins since Mario Lemieux was approved as owner. . . . Goalie Felix Potvin signed a one-year, $2.7-million contract to return to the New York Islanders. . . . The Philadelphia Flyers signed defenseman-left wing Sean O’Brien to a one-year contract.

Miscellany

Crystal Robinson hit a three-point shot with 1:22 left to lift the New York Liberty to a 61-59 victory over the Utah Starzz in Salt Lake City. . . . Golfers Stuart Appleby and Jeff Sluman shot 63 for a two-day total of 20-under par to beat the uncle-nephew team of Dana and Brett Quigley by two strokes in the CVS Charity Classic in Barrington, R.I. . . . Drivers Eddie Cheever and Robby Unser were fined $5,000 each for unsportsmanlike conduct by the Indy Racing League after berating and jostling rookie driver Scott Harrington over his tactics in Sunday’s MBNA Mid-Atlantic 200. . . . Christian Fittipaldi, knocked unconscious in a crash during testing at Gateway International Raceway on Monday, remained in a St. Louis hospital and will be sidelined for at least eight weeks.