Slaney Enters U.S. Championships

Mary Slaney and Sandra Farmer-Patrick, both suspended by track and field’s international governing body for alleged drug use, decided Monday night to compete in this week’s USA Track and Field Championships.

However, there was an unexplained problem with Farmer-Patrick’s declaration.

The dispute is reminiscent of Butch Reynolds’ legal battles to compete in the 1992 Olympic Trials, a matter that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Slaney, the nation’s premier distance runner, and Farmer-Patrick, a star hurdler, contested the ruling by the International Amateur Athletic Federation.

Slaney decided to declare for the national championships, while Farmer-Patrick attempted to do so, but said, “There was a problem.”

“I will have to call my lawyers to see what’s going on,” Farmer-Patrick said.

After declarations closed Monday night, a USA Track & Field source said that Slaney would be eligible to run.

“We haven’t suspended her,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We don’t have a letter from Primo (Nebiolo, head of the IAAF) saying that she’s suspended. Until she’s suspended by us, she’s eligible.”