THE SIDELINES : American David Patrick Splashes to Win Rain-Drenched Cup Opener

Driving rain hampered the opening day in the World Cup track and field meet, with David Patrick of the United States splashing down the homestretch to win the men’s 400-meter hurdles. He was timed in 48.74 seconds.

It started raining during the opening ceremony, in the presence of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, and the rain chased away most of the 40,000 people in the new Barcelona Olympic Stadium by competition time.

Patrick edged Henry Amike of Africa, who was timed in 49.24, and Kriss Akabussi of Britain, who was clocked in 49.42.

Tom McKean of Britain won the men’s 800 meters in 1:44.95 over Jens Peter Herold of East Germany, 1:45.04. Nixon Kiprotich of Africa was third in 1:45.08 and Mike Macinko of the United States fourth in 1:46.47.

World champion Silke Moller of East Germany took the women’s 200 meters in 22.46, and Sandra Farmer-Patrick, a Jamaican now a U.S. citizen, won the women’s 400 meters hurdles in 53.54.