Bubka, Farmer-Patrick Win Big

Pole vaulter Sergei Bubka and hurdler Sandra Farmer-Patrick won IAAF Grand Prix overall titles at a track meet in London on Friday night, each winning a record $130,000 in prize money.

Bubka, the world champion and world record-holder from Ukraine, cleared 19 feet, 10 1/4 inches to win the pole vault and edge javelin thrower Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic, who won his event with a throw of 289-7, for the men’s top prize.

Farmer-Patrick, meanwhile, beat world champion Sally Gunnell in the 400-meter hurdles, winning in 53.69, to overtake distance runner Sonia O’Sullivan, who won the 3,000 meters in 8:38.12, for the women’s title.

It was the richest meet in track history, with $2.3 million in prize money. Each individual winner received $30,000, with an additional $100,000 for the overall champions. A complex scoring system, based on performance, was used to determine the winners.

Colin Jackson, the world champion and world record-holder in the 110-meter hurdles, finished third in the overall standings. He won his event, but his time of 13.15 seconds took him out of contention for the title.

Mike Powell was fourth overall, winning the long jump at 28-0 1/4. Noureddine Morceli, who set a world mile record last Sunday, won the 1,500 in 3:31.60 to finish fifth overall.

Frank Fredericks, the world 200-meter champion from Namibia, was sixth overall after winning his race in a photo finish with Britain’s John Regis. Both were timed in 20.34.

Jurisprudence

Police in Glendale, Ariz., took hair and tissue samples and fingerprints from forward Jerrod Mustaf of the Phoenix Suns as part of an investigation into a woman’s death.

Althea Hayes, 28, was found shot to death in her apartment in the Phoenix suburb on July 24. Family and friends of Hayes said she was three months’ pregnant at the time of her death and she had told them that Mustaf was the father. They also claim Mustaf offered Hayes $5,000 to have an abortion.

Mustaf, 23, has denied any knowledge of Hayes’ pregnancy, denied offering her any money for an abortion and denied any involvement in her murder.

Hockey

Defenseman Doug Wilson, a 16-year NHL veteran and captain of the San Jose Sharks, announced his retirement.

Valeri Bure, the younger brother of Vancouver Canuck star Pavel Bure, signed a two-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

Golf

Steve Stricker, the surprise first-round leader in the Canadian Open, held a two-shot lead when second-round play was halted because of darkness.

Stricker, whose starting time was backed up by two rain delays totaling 1 hour 41 minutes, was eight-under with two holes to go when play was suspended.

Brad Bryant held the clubhouse lead at six-under 138 after shooting a 70. Brandel Chamblee, Dudley Hart and Phil Blackmar were at 140. Chamblee had a 70, while Hart and Blackmar had one-under 71s.

Dave Stockton shot a six-under 66 to take a a one-stroke lead after the first round of the GTE North Seniors Classic at Indianapolis. One shot back were Rocky Thompson and Bob Betley.

Tina Barrett shared the lead with Michelle Mackall and Brandie Burton at six-under 66 after the first round of the LPGA’s Ping-Cellular One Golf Championship at Portland, Ore.

Skiing

Colorado athletic director Bill Marolt, a former Alpine director of the U.S. Ski Team, has withdrawn as a candidate for president of U.S. Skiing and will remain with the university.

Soccer

Warned that France’s likely World Cup berth was at stake, Olympique Marseille owner Bernard Tapie has dropped a lawsuit against soccer officials challenging his team’s ban from the European Champions Cup because of a game-fixing scandal.

FIFA threatened France with suspension from international competition unless Tapie dropped the suit and the temporary injunction issued Thursday was dissolved.