ATHLETICS:Chinese puzzle on records

A Chinese woman athlete has been credited with one world record in the pole vault, while being denied another because of a positive drug test.

The International Amateur Athletic Federation said yesterday that Sun Caiyun's pole vault of 4.05 metres (13ft 31/2in) achieved on 21 May 1992 at Nanjing, China, was being recognised as the first women's world record in the event.

Since Sun was only 18 at the time, the jump was also ratified as a world junior record.

Sun was also in line for a share of the world indoor pole vault record with a jump of 4.08m (13ft 41/2in) on 1 March 1994 at Karlsruhe, Germany.

However, the IAAF said the performance was not recognised because Sun tested positive for ephedrine at the meeting and was suspended for three months.

Nicole Rieger, of Germany, who also achieved a vault of 4.08m at the same meeting, was eventually credited with the record.

The IAAF said it recognized Olga Kuzenkova of Russia as the world record holder in the women's hammer for her throw of 66.84m (219ft 3in) in Adler, Russia on 23 February 1994.z