Dog’s Death Leads to Swenson Ejection

Rick Swenson, the only five-time champion of the Iditarod sled dog race, was ejected from the race after one of his dogs died, a decision that drew angry protests Tuesday in Anchorage.

Swenson was disqualified Monday for violating the “expired dog rule” that was introduced this year in response to criticism from animal-rights groups. The rule is designed to protect the more than 1,000 dogs in the mushing marathon. Last year, two dogs died during the 1,150-mile race from Anchorage to Nome.

Race officials made their decision hours after Swenson brought a dead dog into Skwentna, only 149 miles into the race, which began Saturday.

Iditarod Rule No. 18 calls for mushers to be disqualified “unless the cause of death is an external force beyond the musher’s control such as a moose or snow machine.” Swenson’s elimination did not imply deliberate misconduct and an examination of the carcass failed to turn up a cause of death.

Swenson, who had run in 20 previous Iditarods without losing a dog, said: “Dogs do die in everyday life. And they die on the Iditarod trail. If you can’t accept that part of life is death, then you’re really in for a big surprise one of these days.”

Tennis

To-ranked Pete Sampras, who led the United States to the Davis Cup championship last year, won’t play in the second-round match April 5-7 in the Czech Republic because of a schedule conflict with two individual tournaments.

Sampras also skipped last month’s opening-round victory over Mexico but said he would be available to play in the semifinals and final later this year, if the United States gets that far.

College Basketball

Pepperdine Coach Lorenzo Romar has selected three assistants to replace the staff of Marty Wilson, Carl Strong and Jon Wheeler. Sources said Darwin Cook, Kenny Ammann and an unidentified third assistant have been chosen.

Olympics

A top Chinese Olympic official criticized U.S. Swimming for its lenient treatment of Jessica Foschi, the 15-year-old freestyler who tested positive for steroids.

Foschi was given a reprieve last month when U.S. Swimming’s board of directors rescinded a two-year ban and put her on probation instead, clearing her to compete in this week’s Olympic trials.

The United States led an international campaign for tough sanctions against China after seven of its swimmers tested positive for steroids at the 1994 Asian Games.

“It’s not good for America to take this type of position,” said He Zhenliang, the Chinese member on the International Olympic Committee’s executive board. “You have to be consistent and fair, not severe only for some and lenient for others.”

Alexandre de Merode, IOC medical commission chairman, confirmed that a new high-tech drug-testing machine will be used at this summer’s Atlanta Games.

Boxing

A federal judge in Las Vegas has stopped Lennox Lewis and his promoters from pursuing legal action aimed at getting the World Boxing Council to withhold its sanction from Frank Bruno’s title defense against Mike Tyson on March 16.

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield will fight Bobby Czyz, Lewis will fight Ray Mercer and Tim Witherspoon will fight Jorge Luis Gonzalez at Madison Square Garden May 10.

Golf

Raymond Floyd won the PGA Senior Slam for the second consecutive year, shooting a 65 at Los Cabos, Mexico, to capture the four-man tournament by three strokes.

He finished the two-round event with a 140 total, followed by Jack Nicklaus (71-143), Tom Weiskopf (74-144) and J.C. Snead (75-146).

Pro Football

NFL owners will consider two proposals to reintroduce instant replay in 1996 when they meet next week in Palm Beach, Fla.

The Oakland Raiders signed free-agent offensive lineman Charles McRae to a two-year, $800,000 contract. McRae, 27, started four games for Tampa Bay last season at guard, but the Raiders plan to use him mostly at tackle.

Miscellany

Tara Cross-Battle had 24 kills as the U.S. women’s volleyball team defeated top-ranked Cuba, 15-3, 15-13, 15-17, 15-4, at Houston. . . . Bill Barrett, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Liz Masakayan, Eddie Merrins, Dot Richardson, Gene “Skip” Rowland and Dick Wallen will be inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday. . . . The University of Southern Maine said it has asked the NCAA to restore the eligibility of 11 baseball players who gambled on intercollegiate athletics.