Olympic Schedule Might Be Changed to Help Johnson

There is a good chance that world track officials will alter the Olympic timetable to allow U.S. sprinter Michael Johnson to attempt a 200-400 double at next year’s Atlanta Games, an IAAF spokesman said Monday.

Johnson, who won both events at the world championships in Sweden in August, met this weekend with IAAF President Primo Nebiolo in Monte Carlo, Monaco, to press his request for a change in the Atlanta schedule.

“I feel there is some agreement,” IAAF spokesman Giorgio Reineri said. “I think Nebiolo understood the needs of Michael Johnson, and if it will be possible, he will do all that is needed to give him the opportunity to double.”

Reineri said the IAAF council could finalize the changes at its next meeting in March.

The present Olympic schedule has the 200 and 400 overlapping on two days. Johnson says he will enter only if they are separated.

Baseball

A full share on the World Series champion Atlanta Braves was worth $206,635.01, 62% higher than the previous record.

The previous record for a full share was $127,920.77 on the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.

The Dodgers received $13,904.21 per player for losing in the first round.

Craig Biggio has received offers from four teams and is close to a decision on where to sign.

Colorado, St. Louis and San Diego are seeking the free agent second baseman, as is Houston.

“He’s got the information in front of him,” said Biggio’s agent, Barry Axelrod. “Now it’s a matter of deciding which one of those, based on all the facts, makes the most sense.”

Outfielder Mickey Tettleton signed a a $5 million, two-year contract with the Texas Rangers and outfielder Darren Lewis rejected the waiver claim by the Rangers and became a free agent. . . . Pitcher Rick Aguilera signed a $9 million, three-year contract with the Minnesota Twins. . . . Rene Arocha was designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals to make room for pitcher Jeff Parrett on the 40-man roster. . . . Righthander Alejandro Pena agreed to a minor-league contract with the Florida Marlins. . . . The New York Yankees signed second baseman Mariano Duncan to a two-year contract worth just under $1.5 million. . . . Outfielder Glenallen Hill and the San Francisco Giants avoided salary arbitration when they agreed to a one-year contract. . . . After a six-year absence, Harold Baines came back to the Chicago White Sox, agreeing to a one-year contract. Baines, who played last season with the Baltimore Orioles, played with the White Sox from 1980-89.

College Basketball

The Kansas Jayhawks (5-0) remained the runaway choice of a national media panel as the top-ranked college basketball team.

The Jayhawks received 55 first-place votes and 1,637 votes to easily outdistance Villanova (7-0), which held second with three No. 1 votes and 1,545 points.

UCLA re-entered the poll at No. 24.

Miscellany

Fred vonAppen, defensive line coach at Colorado, reportedly will be named head football coach at the University of Hawaii, the Honolulu Advertiser reported. . . . Dan Allen, Boston University football coach, has quit to become coach at Holy Cross. . . . Former Olympian Chris Puckett of Crested Butte, Colo., tuning up for the World Cup next weekend, won the North American Championship Series giant slalom in Stratton Mountain, Vt. . . . Funeral services for former Notre Dame running back Gerry Cowhig, who died Wednesday, will be held today at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Van Nuys. . . . France bowed to a threat from FIFA to cancel the World Cup soccer draw and agreed to grant visas for the Nigerian delegation. . . . Luisito Espinosa of the pines won the World Boxing Council’s featherweight title from Manuel Medina of Mexico with a 12-round unanimous decision in Tokyo. . . . The United States became an overwhelming favorite to be host for the 1999 Women’s World Cup after Australia and Chile withdrew. FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said that unless Australia and Chile reconsidered before the February bid deadline, FIFA’s executive committee would have no other choice.