Yahoo! August 23, 2000
VIAREGGIO, Italy (AP) - Cuba's Javier Sotomayor, the world record-holder in the high jump, injured his left leg Tuesday in just his third meet after a one-year drug ban.
Sotomayor apparently strained his left hamstring on his second attempt at 7 feet, 53/4 inches, and was forced to pull out of this meet in Tuscany against a relatively light field of competitors.
Sotomayor, 32, who returned last week after serving half of a two-year ban following a positive test for cocaine, screamed out in pain in mid-air as he crashed into the bar.
Though he was able to limp away on his own, Sotomayor later remained face down and motionless near the high jump pit for at least 20 minutes, apparently trying to rest the injured leg.
The injury comes after victories in his first two meets back from the drug ban, including a 7-61/2 effort last weekend in Monte Carlo.
Sotomayor, who holds the world record of 8-01/2, has been preparing for next month's Olympics in Sydney.
Fellow Cuban Ivan Pedroso, the reigning world long jump champion, won that event at 26-7, edging Jamaica's James Beckford, whose best effort was 26-41/2.
British-born Fiona May, who competes for Italy, won the women's long jump at 22-11/2. | 