By Compiled from Times wires
Published August 27, 2003
SAINT-DENIS, France - Even with a 1-2 finish in the 400 meters by Jerome Young and Tyree Washington, Tuesday was another day of disappointment for the U.S. track team at the World Championships.
Tim Montgomery flew home without explanation. Jon Drummond withdrew, then was disqualified anyway. Gail Devers tripped on a hurdle. Allyson Felix was eliminated in her pro debut.
Montgomery, the world record holder in the 100 meters, left one day after finishing fifth in his event. He didn't even tell his coaches. The 400-meter relay team is now missing three starters after Maurice Greene was hurt and Drummond got in trouble.
Drummond, who threw a tantrum after being disqualified for a false start in the 100 quarterfinals, withdrew from the meet and said he was prematurely ending his season. World track officials threw him out anyway for "bringing the sport into disrepute."
Devers had been favored for a fourth world title in the 100 hurdles but hit the fifth hurdle and was eliminated in the semifinals. And Felix, 17, who had the fastest time in the 200 this year, was eliminated on the same day she announced she was turning pro.
Meantime, in the 400, Young held off Washington, the overwhelming favorite, on the final straightaway to win in 44.50 seconds. Washington was second in 44.77 for his first loss of the year.
Florida's Candice Scott reached the hammer throw finals.
WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES: U.S. tops North Korea
The United States beat North Korea 3-0 in men's volleyball in front of 5,000 spectators and heavy security at Daegu, South Korea. The match was overshadowed again by North Korea's threat of a boycott unless the South Korean government apologized for failing to prevent anti-North Korea rallies and guaranteeing heightened security. The United States and Canada advanced from Group B with 4-1 records. In other action, the defending champion U.S. women's basketball team lost to China 97-54 and was eliminated from gold-medal contention, and Stanford swimmer Dan Westcott won the 50-meter backstroke.
BASKETBALL: U.S. pros avenge defeat
The U.S. team of NBA players avenged a groundbreaking defeat of a year ago by beating Argentina 94-86 in the second round of the Tournament of the Americas in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Jermaine O'Neal, one of only two players held over from last summer's team that finished sixth at the World Championships, led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Tracy McGrady of the Magic sat out again with a back injury and said he likely would not play in the remainder of the Olympic qualifying tournament.
RAPTORS: Center Eric Montross, 31, who hasn't played since breaking a bone in his left foot in a mishap at home in the spring of 2002, is retiring. The 7-footer averaged 4.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in eight NBA seasons.
SOCCER: Wambach on U.S. team
Former Florida standout Abby Wambach is among 20 players named to the U.S. team for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2003. Wambach, now a star in the Women's United Soccer Association, is one of eight players who will make their World Cup debut; the other 12 selected by coach April Heinrichs are from the 1999 squad that defeated China for the world title. The U.S. team opens defense of its crown Sept. 21 in Washington against Sweden.
OBITUARY: Clive Charles, who coached the U.S. men's soccer team in the 2000 Olympics, died at 51. He also led the University of Portland women's team to last year's national title while battling prostate cancer.
ET CETERA
GOLF: Jim Slattery of Clearwater and Bradley Turner of Altamonte Springs led after the first round of the North Florida PGA Section Championship at Orange County National Golf Club in Orlando. Slattery shot 5-under 65 on the PAR-70 Panther course and Turner posted a 6-under 66 on the par-72 Crooked Cat layout.
