Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie promised a new world record on the 5,000 meter before Wednesday’s Golden League track event in Oslo, Norway. For a long time it looked like he would succeed but as the race ended, the record was already out of reach. In the same event, American Marion Jones won the 200 meter race on 22.22 seconds.

Cycling race Tour de France starts in Le Puy de Fou this Saturday, however not without turmoil. Two weeks ago tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc announced that Richard Virenque from France and several others were not allowed to compete in this year’s race. This week, however, the International Cycling Union (UCI) forced the Tour to accept Virenque in the race based on the fact that banned riders will have to be notified one month before the race starts. The race organizers have said that they will appeal the forced entry of Virenque. ONCE team doctor Nicolas Terrados and the entire TVM team from the Netherlands are still excluded from the race.

In England, the Wimbledon tennis tournament continued Wednesday after a day of rain-delays. German veteran Boris Becker was eliminated by Australian Patrick Rafter in three straight sets. Top-seeded Pete Sampras, British Tim Henman, Australian Mark Philippoussis, French Cedric Pioline, Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten and Americans Andre Agassi and Todd Martin have all secured a place in the quarterfinals.

In the women’s tournament, Australian sensation Jelena Dokic, who beat Martina Hingis in the first round, is playing Alexandra Stevenson from the United States. Germany’s Steffi Graf, Czech Jana Novotna, Croatian Mirjana Lukic, Nathalie Tauziat from France and Americans Lindsay Davenport and Venus Williams are also in the quarterfinals.

In English soccer, triple-champion Manchester United has withdrawn from next season’s F. A. Cup in order to represent England at January’s inaugural world club championship in Brazil. The decision means that United, who won the premier league and the European Cup as well as the F. A. Cup last season, will now play a maximum of 68 games next season rather than the 78 previously projected. The English Premier League starts on Aug. 7.

Also in soccer news, the 1999 Copa America started Tuesday with Peru beating Japan and Paraguay and Bolivia drawing 0-0. Brazil and Argentina are favorites to win the title.