Slaney Gets Cleared of Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs

Mary Slaney was cleared of drug use by USA Track and Field on Tuesday.

Slaney was suspended by the International Amateur Athletic Federation after allegedly testing positive for testosterone at the 1996 U.S. Olympic trials.

“Everybody is very pleased and relieved,” said Jim Coleman, Slaney’s attorney. “I think we convinced the panel Mary was innocent.”

“To win means she must have been innocent,” he said. “It’s a very difficult process. I think there’ll be changes that come out of this because the investigation USATF did was abysmal.”

He was uncertain if further legal action would be taken.

“Mary Slaney has been one of our outstanding athletes, and I am looking forward to seeing her compete once again,” said Craig Masback, USATF chief executive officer. “I am also pleased that our process worked to afford her a fair hearing.”

Jurisprudence

A former topless dancer, who falsely accused Dallas Cowboy stars Erik Williams and Michael Irvin of sexual assault, was sentenced to 90 days in jail.

Nina Shahravan, who recanted her accusations, apologized to the players “for putting them through the stuff that I’ve put them through.”

Shahravan also must pay a $1,500 fine. She could have received probation or up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Former Ferrari driver Michele Alboreto testified in the manslaughter trial of Ferrari team owner Frank Williams in Imola Italy that driver Aryton Senna was killed in a 1994 race because of mechanical failure.

Senna, a three-time Formula One world champion, was killed when he crashed on a sharp turn during the San Marino Grand Prix.

“You don’t come off [the track on] that curve unless you have a mechanical problem,” he said.

“I hope this trial serves to defend a man who was a great driver and who is no longer with us.

The prosecution contends that Williams was responsible for the accident because of negligence.

Basketball

New York Knick center Patrick Ewing was elected president of the NBA Players Assn.

Ewing, a leader in the movement to decertify the NBA players union in 1995, succeeds Buck Williams.

Cal State Northridge freshman guard Markus Carr will miss the season because of a knee injury.

Auto Racing

Seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, who fell asleep at the wheel twice before the start of the Southern 500 earlier this month, will race at this weekend’s MBNA 400 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Delaware.

Earnhardt said tests were negative. “Chalk it up to a chemical imbalance,” said Earnhardt. “It was a reaction that happened chemically with what I had to eat that day or the night before.”

Winter Olympics

A watchdog group fo the 2,002 Winter Olympics in Sat Lake City, has requested an investigation into the organizing committee.

Tom Welch, former organizing committee president, received a $10,000-a-month consulting contract as well as $500,000 in retirement benefits following his resignation after being charged with domestic abuse.

Names in the News

UCLA women’s volleyball Coach Andy Banachowski, ho has won six NCAA championships, will be inducted into the volleyball hall of fame next month.