There’s Still a Red Flag on This One

The Confederate flag will be lowered today from the South Carolina statehouse in Columbia, but officials wonder if the cloud of the NAACP’s boycott will lift from arenas, golf courses, tennis courts and ballparks.

“I think that’s difficult to say right now,” said Russ Pate, race director of the U.S. women’s Olympic marathon trials held in Columbia, the state capital, in February. “Quite frankly, I am not entirely certain that we’ve adequately addressed this issue.”

From Darlington Raceway to Harbour Town Golf Links to the 26-mile blue marathon line that wanders through the streets of Columbia, organizers, coaches and athletes have dealt with the tourism boycott.

There were marches that included football coaches Lou Holtz of South Carolina and Tommy Bowden of Clemson; statements condemning the flag from the Southern Conference, the NCAA and USA Track & Field; withdrawals from state events by the New York Knicks and tennis star Serena Williams, and even a meeting of another tennis player, Alexandra Stevenson, and Gov. Jim Hodges.

“I guess this shows that sports have a place in our society, more than people give it credit for having,” Southern Conference Commissioner Alfred White said. “There were a lot of industries in the state going on with business as usual. That wasn’t the case with us.”

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Trivia time: Who is the American record-holder in the mile run?

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What a gift: Two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback John Elway celebrated his 40th birthday with his first hole in one. The former Denver Bronco aced the 193-yard 13th hole on the Innisbrook Resort’s Island Course at Tarpon Springs, Fla..

“It’s my highlight in golf,” Elway said. “I didn’t see it go in. I had a hard time believing it. It’s my first, and to have it happen on my birthday is special.”

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Ouch: From New York Post columnist Peter Vecsey, “Old news: Isiah Thomas has to sell the CBA before being allowed to coach the Pacers. New news: The Clippers have to join the CBA before [Donald] Sterling is allowed to hire a coach.”

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Cash or check?: Those with a strong need to watch Olympic figure skating from the luxury of a suite can fulfill their wish--for $154,000.

That’s what the Delta Center is charging to rent the 22-seat suites for 10 sessions of figure skating and four sessions of short-track speedskating at Salt Lake City in 2002. A 32-seat suite also is available for $268,800.

Salt Lake Organizing Committee President Mitt Romney said the high prices for the suites means cheaper tickets for everyone else.

Sure it does.

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Trivia answer: Steve Scott, who ran 3:47.69 in Oslo on July 7, 1982.

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And finally: Bob Kravitz in he Rocky Mountain News: “Let’s face it, there’s no way to Tiger-proof a golf course. Except maybe to post a sign: No Cablinasians Allowed.”