Marathoners Will Receive Soviet Bonus

When marathon runners check in for a race, they’re accustomed to receiving “goodie bags” full of sponsors’ products. A bottle of mineral water, a tube of sunblock, other fitness-related stuff.

But participants in the Moscow Peace Marathon Aug. 11 will go to the line protected against more than just 26.2 miles of running.

They can thank David Ellis, director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Sports Medicine Institute, who will head a medical support team for the race. Ellis recently received a special request from marathon organizers.

After calling five manufacturers, Ellis worked out an agreement with Carter-Wallace Inc. Now, each of the 6,000 runners’ goodie bags in Moscow will include a condom.

Trivia time: On this day in 1968, a player turned the major leagues’ eighth and most recent unassisted triple play. Who was he?

Yellow card: More bad news for American soccer.

Chiquita Brands, Inc. recently withdrew its sponsorship of the U.S. Soccer Federation. In 1990, the second year of the agreement, Chiquita paid $300,000 and had five option years remaining.

Said a company spokesperson: “Promises were made and things were said that were never delivered on. Everyone who comes into contact with them has been unhappy with their relationship.”

Head case: Keep an eye on the career of linebacker Lamar Lathon, the Houston Oilers’ first-round draft choice from the University of Houston.

After recovering from a broken sternum and internal injuries suffered in an auto accident a year ago, and reconstructive knee surgery on top of that, Lathon arrived at Oiler training camp last week looking for any edge he could get.

Aware of the Oiler veterans’ tradition of shaving rookies’ heads, Lathon saved them the trouble.

Said Lathon: “It’s sort of like if you take your helmet off and you’ve got a bald-headed guy that’s 6-3 1/2, 250 looking at you, well, the guy across from you doesn’t know exactly what’s going through that skull.”

Viking-Jet result: Two years ago, Kathi Wolfgramm visited the Metrodome in Minneapolis along with seven of her brothers and sisters. Their group, the Jets, whose hits include “Crush on You” and “You Got It All,” played a halftime show at a Viking game.

The tunes must have struck a chord with Viking defensive end Al Noga, who met Ms. Wolfgramm that day. Last Thursday, they were married.

Open water: Reporting from the Goodwill Games, Jean Jeansonne of Newsday quoted former West German Olympic rower Peter-Michael Kolbe as saying:

“There were 200 professional (coaches) for elite rowers in East Germany. West Germany had three. Now, with one Germany, there will be maybe six. . . .

“In East Germany, they spent so much money on sports, to be known in the world, so they could say they had a better system. They built it up so big, and now it is disappearing. They’re not happy about that.”

Bust a move: Greg Logan of Newsday reported that Philadelphia Eagle tight end Keith Jackson is filming a rap video aimed at fostering team unity.

Quarterback Randall Cunningham and running back Keith Byars must not have felt the need. Both were no-shows for their scheduled recording sessions.

However, Coach Buddy Ryan told Logan he would definitely appear.

But would he sing? Said Ryan: “Dance, probably. I can do it all.”

Trivia answer: Washington Senator shortstop Ron Hansen.

Quotebook: Chicago Cub shortstop Shawon Dunston, on Cub second baseman Ryne Sandberg’s calm exterior: “You know he’s mad when he gets the fingernail clipper and does his nails.”