LONDON: Track and field's world governing body has threatened to suspend any athletes who run against Mary Slaney or Sandra Farmer-Patrick should they defy a ruling and compete in the US National Championships.

The International Amateur Athletic Federation said yesterday that Slaney and Farmer-Patrick remain under suspension and cannot run in the US Nationals, which start today in Indianapolis.

The IAAF reiterated its decision, announced May 31, to suspend the two athletes until USA Track and Field holds a hearing into their alleged positive drug tests.

Akram retained

DHAKA: Akram Khan and Aminul Islam Bulbul have been retained as captain and vice-captain of Bangladesh's cricket team for the Sixth Asia Cup, scheduled to begin July 14 in Sri Lanka.

A cricket control board official said today that names of the other players and officials accompanying the team will be announced later.

Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will take part in the Asia Cup.

Agassi to play

WIMBLEDON: Andre Agassi, the 1992 champion, is in the fray for this year's Wimbledon.

He withdrew last month from the French Open with an injured right wrist and used the same reason two weeks before to pull out of the German Open.The former world's top-ranked player has fallen to No 29 and has lost five of his last six matches on the ATP Tour.

Surrey in final

LONDON: England trio Alec Stewart, Graham Thorpe and Adam Hollioake carried on from where they left off against Australia to fire Surrey into the Benson and Hedges Cup final yesterday.

All three hit half centuries as Surrey piled up 308 for eight from their 50 overs, eventually beating Leicestershire by 130 runs at The Oval.

Kent defeated Northamptonshire by 66 runs in the other semifinal.

Stewart stroked 87 in 104 balls and Thorpe hit 79 from 80, while Hollioake, smashed 63 in just 40 balls.

SOCOG's plea

SYDNEY: Organisers of the 2000 Sydney Olympics want to put clocks forward during the Games to provide an extra hour of daylight for competition late in the day.

The Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) said the change would allow more sports to be held later in the day, a popular time for athletes.

``We have come to the conclusion that it is necessary for the sporting success of the Games,'' SOCOG sports commission Chairman John Coates told a news conference today.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.