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Long distances no sweat for ex-Olympian

By TIMES WIRES
Published June 26, 2006

INDIANAPOLIS - Two-time Olympic medalist Bernard Lagat became the first runner in the history of the U.S. track and field championships to sweep the 1,500 and 5,000 meters, winning the shorter race Sunday night.

Lagat outsprinted Gabe Jennings over the final 50 meters to win in 3 minutes, 39.29 seconds.

"It means a lot," Lagat said. "I didn't know that nobody had done it until someone was telling me that today. This is my first nationals, and I'm proud to be here."

Lagat - Olympic 1,500 silver medalist in 2004 and bronze medalist in 2000 - holds the American record in the event and will be eligible to compete for the United States at next year's world championships.

Lashinda Demus (400 hurdles, 53.07), Dominique Arnold (110 hurdles, 13.10), Walter Davis (triple jump, 58 feet, 1¼ inches), Wallace Spearmon (200, 19.90), Khadevis Robinson (800, 1:44.13) and Tora Harris (high jump, 7-7¾) all had world-leading results at the meet.

CYCLING

Riders abandon bikes

About 200 pro riders stopped during the Spanish Championships in Madrid to protest a newspaper report of a police investigation about drugs and cycling. El Pais said a major doping investigation in Spain shows at least 58 pro cyclists may have received banned substances and blood transfusions in recent years. Civil Guard police investigations show at least 15 members of the team formerly known as Liberty Seguros were among the 58, El Pais said.

TENNIS

Venus out of Fed Cup

Venus Williams said she won't play in the United States vs. Belgium semifinal Fed Cup match July 15-16 in Ostend, Belgium. With Lindsay Davenport injured and Serena Williams still not fit enough to go back on court, captain Zina Garrison may have to go to her second-line players to face Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters. The selection will depend a lot on who plays well at Wimbledon, but for now the next best candidates are No. 43 Jill Craybas and No. 58 Jamea Jackson.

ET CETERA

GREYHOUNDS: Derby Lane has reduced performances to eight races with a kennel cough-related quarantine still in effect. The track also announced the St. Petersburg Derby will be run Friday, closing night of the meet, with a one-round qualifier Tuesday in Races 4 and 6.

SAILING: Sweden's Victory Challenge beat America's Cup holder Alinghi in Valencia, Spain, leaving Emirates Team New Zealand as the sole leader after the fourth day of Act 12 of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Alinghi has seven points, along with American boat BMW Oracle and Italian entry Luna Rossa, one less than the leader.

SOCCER: Chris Armas and Thiago each scored to give host Chicago a 2-0 MLS win over New York. Playing in front of 20,133 at Toyota Park, its new soccer-specific stadium, Chicago (3-5-5) won its first game since May 20.

[Last modified June 26, 2006, 01:23:15]