International Capsules: AP sources say Ethiopians plan to clear Bekele
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Two people familiar with the situation say Ethiopia's track federation plans to lift the suspension it placed on Olympic distance running champion Kenenisa Bekele, clearing the way for him to compete at the London Games.
The people tell The Associated Press that the federation plans to reinstate Bekele soon. They spoke Monday on condition of anonymity because the decision had not yet been made public.
Bekele won the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the Beijing Olympics and holds the world record in both events. He was suspended last week along with 34 other Ethiopian athletes for not reporting to a training camp. The suspension would prevent Bekele from running at this year's Olympics.
Lagat will try for U.S. mark in 5,000 at Millrose
NEW YORK (AP) — Bernard Lagat is going to try to regain the U.S. indoor record in the men's 5,000 meters at the 105th Millrose Games.
The Millrose Games announced the field for the Feb. 11 event on Monday in a release.
Lagat is an eight-time winner of the Millrose's Wanamaker Mile, but this year he has his sights set on Galen Rupp's record of 13 minutes, 11.44 seconds. Rupp topped Lagat's mark in the event in 2011 in Birmingham, England.
Among the entrants in the 5,000 are Lawi Lalang, the NCAA cross country champion from Arizona; Leonard Korir, the NCAA indoor 5,000 champion from Iona and Elliott Heath, the NCAA indoor 3,000-meter champion from Stanford. Andy Baddeley, a 2008 Olympian from Britain, is also set to race.
Joyner-Kersee added to USATF board
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Four-time Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee is one of three new members on USA Track and Field's board of directors.
Joyner-Kersee, who won three gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the Olympics, was named to the board Monday, along with sports attorney Eve Wright and network television executive Mickey Carter.
The board also elected current member Steve Miller to the position of vice chairman.
Figure Skating
Figure skating championships tickets available
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Championship weekend ticket packages are now on sale for the 2013 U.S. Figure Skating Championships to be held next January at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha.
The packages start at $95 and admit patrons to all senior-level events during the second weekend of competition, including the senior ladies, men's, pairs and ice-dancing free skate finals. The U.S. Championships are the final qualifying event for the U.S. World Team. The competition attracts more than 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials and generate up to $20-25 million in economic impact for host cities.
U.S. Figure Skating is partnering with the Omaha Sports Commission to organize the event.
Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000 or at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office. Single-session tickets will be sold later.
Gymnastics
Olympic champ to compete for first time since '08
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Athens Olympic champion Paul Hamm plans to compete at a U.S. men's ranking meet next month, his first competition since breaking his hand at the 2008 national championships.
Hamm hopes to earn one of eight spots on the national team available at Winter Cup, Feb. 2 and 4 at the Sports Center in Las Vegas. Being part of the national team would put him in the pool for international competition and also make him eligible for training funds from USA Gymnastics.
Hamm, the only American man to win the Olympic and world all-around titles, missed the Beijing Olympics after breaking his hand in 2008. He came out of retirement for a second time in the summer of 2010 but missed last year's national championships while he recovered from shoulder surgery.
Skiing
Ski officials try to calm anger over Hirscher win
SCHLADMING, Austria (AP) — Austrian ski officials are asking for calm following Marcel Hirscher's disputed slalom victory, hoping to prevent Austrian and Croatian fans from clashing Tuesday during the annual Schladming night race.
Austrian men's coach Mathias Berthold says "we don't want fans to oppose each other, we want a ski party like every year. That's why it is important to cool down emotions."
Berthold acknowledged on Sunday that Hirscher apparently straddled a gate while winning in Zagreb, a mistake that warrants immediate disqualification but went unnoticed by judges. When it came to light, it sparked an angry reaction from World Cup champion Ivica Kostelic of Croatia. The race in Schladming usually draws 50,000 fans, including several thousand from Croatia.
