SOTOMAYOR LINKED TO COCAINE AGAIN

Top Track Official Says Cuban Jumper Has Failed More Drug Tests

Arne Ljungqvist, vice-president of track's world governing body, says Cuban
high jumper Javier Sotomayor has failed more than just one doping test and
should still be banned from competition.

Sotomayor, 32, was suspended for two years by the IAAF after he tested
positive for cocaine at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg last summer. His
suspension was cut in half earlier this week, which will allow him to
compete at the Sydney Olympics.

"I know that he tested positive a few times," Ljungqvist told Swedish news
agency TT yesterday. "I think that he should still be suspended."

Sotomayor denied the allegations.

"Of course it is false, it is totally false," Sotomayor said in a telephone
conversation from his home in Havana.

"Behind this, there is someone who wants to do me harm. We see bad
intentions."

Ljungqvist said Sotomayor tested positive again for cocaine after on-site
testing while training. It was not immediately clear from the TT report
where that test took place.

"I knew about that test," Ljungqvist said. "And it's possible that there are
more test results showing the same thing (cocaine)."

The Swede said the IAAF's decision was "regretful." Canadian doping
officials have also denounced the decision.

"I absolutely think that he still should be suspended. The decision to let
him compete again is like a hit in my face," said Ljungqvist, who says he
may even resign from the IAAF.