Sports briefs for May 17, 2004

Monday, May 17, 2004 | 8:44 a.m.

Jones says she'd sue to get in Olympics

Marion Jones, the world's most prominent track athlete, served notice Sunday she will file a lawsuit if she's kept out of this summer's Athens Olympics because of information obtained in a federal probe into the alleged steroid sales by the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative.

That possibility exists because of rules that allow disqualification of an athlete for something other than a failed drug test. Such a ban -- termed a "non-analytical positive" by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that oversees drug testing for USA Olympic sports -- could be enforced if the agency found incriminating evidence that an athlete received steroids. USADA recently received documents pertaining to the BALCO case from the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee.

Kenyon wins race

Kenyan Benjamin Maiyo won the Bay to Breakers in his first try, completing the 7.4-mile race through San Francisco in 34 minutes, 50 seconds Sunday.

His time was more than a minute slower than the record, but 11 seconds faster than three-time winner James Koskei of Kenya, who came in second with a time of 35:01.

Maiyo ran the race as a training run for the Athens Olympics.

In the women's division, Russia's Albina Ivanova won with a time of 39:56 seconds. Another Russian, Alevtina Ivanova came in second.

Director to resign

John LeFevre will retire as executive director of U.S. Figure Skating after nearly six years in the position.

LeFevre, a former ice dancer who also served as a skating judge, took office on July 1, 1998. He will retire May 28.

South Africa gets Cup

South Africa was awarded the 2010 World Cup, the first time soccer's treasured prize will be contested in Africa.

South Africa beat Morocco and Egypt in a vote by the executive committee of the sport's governing body, FIFA. In balloting four years ago for the 2006 World Cup, South Africa lost to Germany by one vote.

Mauresmo triumphs

Amelie Mauresmo beat Jennifer Capriati 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) to win the Italian Open on Sunday for her second consecutive title. She also defeated Capriati en route to the German Open title a week ago.

Bowe released

Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe was released from prison today after serving 18 months for kidnapping his first wife and their children in 1998.