Athletics: Sotomayor jumps for first time

Cuban high jump world record-holder Javier Sotomayor made a winning return to competition yesterday after being cleared to jump at the Sydney Olympics following a drugs ban.

Sotomayor was cleared when the International Amateur Athletic Federation lifted a two-year suspension for taking cocaine after the Cuban had served just one year.

Sotomayor yesterday cleared 2.28m, the Olympic qualifying standard, but failed in three attempts at 2.33m. His world record stands at 2.45.

Despite the lacklustre result, he said the taste of competition was sweet.