U.S., Australia Jump in Too Soon, Lose Medals

A jury upheld the disqualifications of the United States and Australia in the women’s 800-meter freestyle today, giving the gold medal to Britain in the World Championships at Fukoka, Japan.

Australia and the United States finished 1-2 on Wednesday night, but were disqualified--the Australians for jumping too early into the pool in celebration, and the Americans for jumping the start on a change.

“We had expected to be reinstated, so it’s a bit of a surprise,” U.S. team chief Penny Taylor said. “The girls will be really disappointed.”

After a two-hour meeting, a FINA Jury of Appeal upheld the disqualifications.

On Wednesday night, Australian coach Don Talbot accused the referee of bias in a pool-deck confrontation and demanded an appeal.

In a statement, FINA said the Jury of Appeal decided unanimously that Australia be disqualified “due to the clear violation of the FINA Rule SW 10.11.”

The U.S. delegation appeal said equipment failure had caused a mix-up.

Randall Bal of Sacramento, competing in his first international meet, won the first 50-meter backstroke final at a world long-course swimming championships, finishing one-tenth of a second ahead of Germany’s Thomas Rupprath with a time of 25.34 seconds.

Football

Incoming Florida freshman fullback Eraste Autin died in Gainesville, Fla., nearly a week after collapsing and falling into a coma after a workout with teammates.

Autin fell unconscious just outside Florida Field last Thursday after participating in one of the team’s voluntary summer conditioning sessions.

Tennis

Monica Seles, making her first tournament appearance since May because of a recurring foot injury, defeated Meilen Tu, 7-6 (2), 6-2, to advance to the quarterfinals of the Bank of the West Classic at Palo Alto. Second-seeded Lindsay Davenport easily took care of Rita Grande of Italy, 6-3, 6-2, in her second-round match. . . . Defending champion Alex Corretja of Spain was upset in the Generali Open clay-court tournament at Kitzbuehel, Austria, losing to Stefan Koubek of Austria, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, in the second round.

Hockey

Veteran defensemen Chris Chelios and Gary Suter were added to the preliminary roster for the U.S. men’s hockey team for the Salt Lake City Games. . . . The sale of the Florida Panthers to a group including former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar was approved by the NHL board of governors. . . . The Long Beach Ice Dogs signed forward Kelly Askew to a one-year contract extension.

Miscellany

Joy Fawcett, starting her first soccer game since giving birth on June 5, scored a goal as the San Diego Spirit defeated Bay Area, 2-0, before 19,133 at San Jose, ending the CyberRays’ WUSA-best 10-game unbeaten streak.

The International Sailing Federation wants the 2008 Beijing Olympics to be moved from July to September to avoid the “serious problem” of the typhoon and monsoon season. ISF President Paul Henderson will ask new International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, a yachtsman in three Olympics, to consider the change. . . . Crews in Athens should complete half the preconstruction work for the 2004 Olympic rowing center this summer despite protests that the facility threatens wildlife and an ancient battlefield. Government spokesman Tilemahos Hitiris said 50% of the digging of the artificial lakes and other land clearing should be completed by September at the rowing center--the only Olympic venue ahead of schedule.

Junior guards Harris Walker and Terrence Woods were dismissed from Tennessee’s basketball team for violating unspecified team rules. Both were key reserves and would have competed for starting roles this season. . . . Illinois guard Frank Williams withdrew from the U.S. team for the World Championships for Young Men because of a wrist injury. . . . New York Liberty guard Teresa Weatherspoon was fined $250 by the WNBA for a flagrant foul against the Miami Sol’s Debbie Black.

Marion Jones, the Olympic 100- and 200-meter champion, will run both races in next month’s World Championships at Edmonton, Canada, but her status for the 400 and 1,600 relays is uncertain after she skipped the U.S. team’s recent relay camp at Monte Carlo. . . . LaTasha Colander-Richardson, the U.S. women’s 400-meter champion, and Christine Clark, winner of the 2000 women’s Olympic marathon trials, withdrew from the U.S. team for the World Championships.

U.S. men’s figure skating champion Timothy Goebel, who trains in El Segundo, has withdrawn from the Goodwill Games because of soreness in his back. Goebel will be replaced by Johnny Weir, the 2001 world junior champion.

Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos will not race again this year. It was disclosed this month that the colt has a hairline fracture of the right knee. . . . Harness racing driver Rick Ray was in critical condition after being thrown from his sulky cart during a race at a county fair in Park Township, Mich.

Driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen was fired by Formula One racing team Jordan Grand Prix.

A municipal court in Split, Croatia, ordered Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic to stop work on a housing complex after a neighbor filed a lawsuit claiming the construction threatens his home.