It's time to rewrite the Olympic record books: There was no gold medal winner in the women's 100 meters at the 2000 Sydney Games.
Wednesday's sports briefs
The International Olympic Committee on Wednesday reallocated two individual medals stripped from Marion Jones for doping, but in an unprecedented move withheld her 100-meter prize from Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou because of her "disgraceful" behavior in evading drug tests at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The decision means the first two runners across the line in Sydney have both been denied the winner's medal for doping violations, and the gold in sprinting's marquee event will remain without an owner -- believed to be a first in the 113-year history of the modern Olympics.
"The IOC feels we have a strong moral and a good legal case for that," spokesman Mark Adams said. "We are not legally bound to give medals. This is a case of taking no action. We have decided not to give [Thanou] an honor that we don't think she deserves."
While the IOC executive board awarded Jones' gold in the 200 meters and bronze in the long jump to the next place finishers, it refused Thanou the 100 gold because of her involvement in a drug scandal at the Athens Games.
"It was disgraceful behavior by her and this is a unique situation," Adams said.
Thanou never tested positive and was not linked to doping in Sydney, but was accused along with fellow Greek sprinter Kostas Kenteris of dodging drug-testers in Athens and faking a motorcycle crash as a cover-up.
While the race results and rankings are up to the International Association of Athletics Federations, the IOC controls who gets Olympic medals.
Adams said it's believed to be the first time the IOC has decided not to award a gold medal.
BOXING
Dallas is likely out as venue Promoters of the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight abruptly canceled a trip to Dallas on Wednesday, dealing a possibly fatal blow to the chances of Jerry Jones landing the bout for Cowboys Stadium.
The trip was canceled at the last minute because Mayweather's promoter apparently decided he didn't want the fight at the new stadium. The move leaves the MGM Grand hotel arena in Las Vegas as the heavy favorite to play host to the March 13 fight. Staples Center in Los Angeles also has made a bid.
AROUND THE HORN
Golf: The PGA Tour has picked up its third new title sponsor of the year with an announcement that Waste Management will be sponsor of the Phoenix Open starting next year. The tournament, which draws by far the largest crowds of the PGA Tour, will be known as the Waste Management Phoenix Open. It will be held Feb. 25-28 at TPC Scottsdale. ... Maria Hjorth shot a 6-under 66 in the first round of the Dubai Ladies Masters, and Michelle Wie was three strokes behind in a three-way tie for fifth.
Tennis: U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters beat Venus Williams 6-1, 7-5 in an exhibition match in Antwerp, Belgium. It was the first high-level match that Clijsters had played in her native country since returning to tennis this year.
Soccer: Pat Smith, best known for his pioneering work as a soccer referee, died of cancer on Monday at his Florida home, according to his daughter Jennifer Bell. He was 86. Smith was a referee in the North American Soccer League during the 1970s and former director of officials for the American Soccer League.
Bowling: Cassidy Schaub rolled consecutive 300 games and set a Professional Bowlers Association 16-game scoring record Wednesday night, averaging 257.25 to retain the second-round lead in the Pepsi Red, White and Blue Open in Wichita, Kan.
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The Vikings open their 2024 NFL season by facing Daniel Jones and the Giants for the first time since losing to them in the playoffs two years ago.