Slaney cleared
for race

The IAAF will allow her
to run in Waikiki, but
a cold might not

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

Mary Slaney has the right to run in the Nike P.L.A.Y. Waikiki Mile on Dec. 13, according to the world governing body of track and field.

The International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) yesterday sent a fax to the Star-Bulletin from its headquarters in Monte Carlo clarifying Slaney's status.

In September, USA Track and Field cleared Slaney of charges that she tested positive for unacceptably high levels of testosterone before the 1996 Olympic trials. The USATF also lifted its suspension.

But the IAAF declined to follow suit and recently announced it was further investigating Slaney's case.

That raised questions about her eligibility for the Waikiki Mile. But the fax, from Laura Arcoleo of the IAAF, stated, ". . . following the USA Hearing Panel's conclusion that a doping offense had not been committed, the athlete has the right to compete as her provisional suspension has been lifted.

"However, the IAAF is currently waiting for the opinions of additional experts as well as the specialist's evaluation of the arguments raised, before taking a decision on how the case should be followed."

Slaney's coach, Bill Dellinger, the head coach at the University of Oregon, scoffed at the IAAF's reluctance to clear Slaney's name.

"It's politics," he said last night.

Dellinger said only a cold could prevent Slaney from competing in the race.

"She's going through a cold and she has a sore throat right now," Dellinger said. "My advice is if she has a bad cold, she should not run. But we'll see how she feels."