Willie Banks Denies Saying TAC Might Rig Drug Tests

SAN FRANCISCO — Willie Banks, the world record-holder in the triple jump, denied Tuesday ever saying he feared that The Athletics Congress might rig drug tests.

Banks was quoted last Wednesday in The Times as saying: “There’s a distinct possibility that TAC could rig the drug testing (for the Olympic trials), even though I’ve never even thought of taking drugs.

“I know it could happen because an official of TAC accused me of being on drugs when I set the world record.”

Banks set the world record of 58 feet 11 1/2 inches in June, 1985.

“I was misquoted,” Banks said in a United Press International story. “I’ve since written the reporter (Bob Wolf) and told him what I think of his reporting. I’ve written TAC to apologize for the story.

“I was quoted in a speech in San Diego. The reporter wasn’t even there. I never mentioned anything about drug testing in that speech. (The reporter) did talk to me on the phone for about 15 minutes, but the article was two pages long.”

TAC, which governs track and field in the United States, gave selected athletes $14,000 apiece to train this year. Only two triple jumpers--Mike Conley and Al Joyner--were given training money.

Pete Cava, a TAC spokesman, said TAC had yet to receive an apology or proof from Banks. Ollan Cassell, TAC’s executive director, last week asked Banks for proof of the reported allegations.

(Wolf said he interviewed Banks for 30 minutes the first time, then called him back later and, in another conversation that lasted 20 minutes, asked Banks if he wanted to reconsider his statements on possible drug-test rigging. Wolf said Banks answered: “I’m not afraid to say it.”

(The interview was conducted several days before Banks was to make his dinner speech in San Diego, where he was inducted into the city’s Hall of Fame, and the story said that Banks had made his remarks before the speech.)