Sotomayor Prevails on Namesake Field

An injured knee didn’t stop high jump world record-holder Javier Sotomayor of Cuba from taking first place in the Grand Prix track meet in Salamanca, Spain, on the field that bears his name.

Sotomayor, who set the world record of 8 feet 1/2 inch here in 1993, cleared 7-6 1/2, with Arturo Ortiz of Spain second at 7-4 1/4.

Meanwhile, Allen Johnson, the world champion in the 110-meter hurdles, was expected to make a run at a world record. Instead, Germany’s Florian Schwarthoff ran past Johnson and won the race in 13.23 seconds with Johnson second in 13.24.

World record-holder Leroy Burrell won the 100 meters in 10.10.

Alvin Harrison of the United States won the men’s 400 in 45.16, beating his twin brother, Calvin Harrison, who was second in 45.81.

*

Russian-born Ludmila Engquist, one of the favorites in the 100-meter hurdles who lives in Stockholm, has gotten permission to compete for Sweden at the Olympics from Russia’s track and field federation. Final approval is expected from the International Olympic Committee.

Engquist has the fastest time this year at 12.52, ahead of world record-holder Gail Devers, who ran 12.62 at the U.S. trials and is expected to be her toughest competition.

Engquist, a 1991 world champion, was suspended from 1992-95 for using banned substances.