Butch Reynolds Loses His Supreme Court Bid

Track star Butch Reynolds, who was suspended for nearly 2 1/2 years after failing a drug test, lost his Supreme Court bid Monday to collect $27.4 million from the International Amateur Athletic Federation, the organization that barred him.

Reynolds, a gold and silver medalist at the 1988 Olympics, was suspended by the IAAF in August 1990. The IAAF said Reynolds tested positive for steroids at a meet in Monte Carlo.

Reynolds, the world record-holder in the 400 meters, contended the test was faulty, and the U.S. track and field governing body exonerated him. But an IAAF arbitration panel ruled in 1992 in London that the drug test was valid. The panel upheld Reynolds’ suspension, preventing him from competing at the Barcelona Olympics.

Reynolds, who denies ever taking steroids, sued the IAAF in federal court in Columbus, Ohio, and the judge in that suit ordered the IAAF to pay $27.4 million.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the award last May, saying the judge lacked authority to act because the case involved events that occurred in Europe and were not aimed at Ohio. The Supreme Court upheld that decision.

Baseball

Bert Blyleven, who earlier this month was hired to become pitching coach at Cedar Rapids, the Angels’ Class A affiliate, has resigned and will become the director of sports ministry at his church.

Blyleven, a member of the Crystal Cathedral church in Garden Grove, said he will work with the church’s youth and organize recreational sports.

Syd Thrift, let go earlier this month by the Chicago Cubs, was hired by the Baltimore Orioles as director of player development. Thrift will be in charge of the Orioles’ minor league operations.

The new United League envisions placing teams in Canada, Mexico and perhaps Puerto Rico and Venezuela, according to a copy of the draft proposal obtained by the Associated Press. The league, whose formation will be announced at a news conference today in New York, would start in 1996 with 10 to 12 teams each playing 154 games, according to the draft. Los Angeles and Riverside-San Bernardino are among possible sites.

Groups from St. Petersburg, Fla., and Phoenix and two from northern Virginia will make formal presentations today to the baseball owners’ expansion committee in Chicago. Two new franchises are expected to be added to the major leagues in 1997 or 1998.

Baseball owners filed an unfair labor charge for alleged threats made last week by the New York Mets’ Bobby Bonilla and John Franco and the Yankees’ Scott Kamieniecki toward players who cross picket lines next spring.

Names in the News

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed unrestricted free agent guard-forward Tony Campbell, a 10-year NBA veteran who at one time played for the Lakers.

Guard LaBradford Smith and free agent Thomas Hill were waived by the Sacramento Kings, who signed free-agent guard Doug Lee.

Venus Williams, 14, won her professional tennis debut, 6-3, 6-4, against fellow American Shaun Stafford in the $400,000 Bank of the West Classic in Oakland.

Former Washington Redskin running back Timmy Smith, who is accused of failing to pay $71,360 in child support for his two daughters who live in Hobbs, N.M., appeared in court and said he did not have the money to hire an attorney. An attorney was appointed and Smith was ordered back to court Jan. 24.

Kevin Rooney, one-time trainer of former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Larry Holmes, was arrested in North Stonington, Conn., and charged with drunk driving and assaulting a police officer.