1996 Summer Olympics

NEW YORK -- Butch Reynolds is $700,000 in debt, consumed by a legal challenge he likens to landmark Supreme Court decisions and engaged in a struggle to rebuild a running career all but wrecked by a 28-month suspension for an allegation of steroid use.But he endures."

NEW YORK -- As senior officials of the United States Olympic Committee prepare to select a president to succeed Robert Helmick, two candidates have emerged as the leading contenders -- one to complete Helmick's term, the other for the subsequent four years.Helmick, a Des Moines lawyer who resigned Wednesday, had more than a year left to serve.The favorite for the interim period appears to be William Simon, 63, the former U.S. secretary of the Treasury. He served as USOC president from 1981 through the 1984 Los AngelesOlympics.

Nader decries electoral system, financial rescue Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader last night bemoaned an electoral system that has kept him out of nationally broadcast debates, and he criticized the financial bailout bill that passed the Senate as he was speaking. Nader, talking to about 200 people at St. Johns Church of Baltimore City United Methodist Church, told the crowd that he has not done an interview with any of the major networks since February despite being on the ballot in 45 states.

Only 10 days remain until Frostburg State University opens its football season against Alfred University, but the last thing on the minds of the Bobcats these days is football.The team is reeling from the loss of 26-year-old assistant coach Lawren Williams. Sunday morning, Williams died of injuries he received in a one-car accident Saturday night on Interstate 81 near Scranton, Pa.According to police reports, Williams was driving a Geo Tracker owned by Warren Pollard -- another Frostburg assistant who was Williams' passenger -- when Williams lost control of the vehicle.

In the laid-back world of professional mountain biking, Charles "Chucky" Aaron stands out in a crowd: At bicycle trade shows, he's the guy in the double-breasted suit, a shine on his shoes. . . and no visible pierced body parts or tattoos."At the Anaheim [Calif.] bike show, I went up to this Italian manufacturer's booth and introduced myself," recalled Aaron, who was recently named director of the Ross/Jeep/Barracuda pro mountain-bike race teams."The guy said, 'No way, you're not Chucky Aaron!

Gary M. Bald, a 25-year FBI veteran who oversaw the investigation of a rogue Boston agent who protected gangster informants from prosecution, has been tapped to head the FBI's Maryland-Delaware office, the bureau said yesterday. Bald, 48, is a Maryland native but has never worked from the FBI's Baltimore office. As special agent in charge, he will oversee more than 300 employees, including 200 special agents. He is expected to begin work in Baltimore next week. Bald was not available to comment yesterday.

Normal, she's not.Most 16-year-olds don't have a lawyer, a used Volvo, an endorsement contract, a world record and three Olympic medals.But Anita Nall always has been comfortable shattering barriers and resetting rules.Eight months after emerging from the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, as one of America's brightest stars and one of its youngest swimming professionals, she is coping with the everyday stresses and struggles of her junior year at Towson Catholic High School.Out: NBC.In: trigonometry.

The Olympic movement has attracted the interest of presidents, prime ministers, monarchs and despots. But, today, the movement will be introduced to a Maryland politician who is accustomed to getting his way, and getting it now.Gov. William Donald Schaefer will be going for the gold as he leads a delegation to Dallas in an attempt to lure the United States Olympic Festival to Maryland. Schaefer's appearance before the U.S. Olympic Committee is part of the state's last-ditch effort to forge a victory in the wake of a political scandal.

Two Olympic equestrian silver medalists will compete in the ** ninth annual Columbia Classic Grand Prix today at Howard Community College.Michael Matz and Peter Leone helped the four-member U.S. equestrian team win the silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Today they will demonstrate their show-jumping talents in the Columbia Classic, which benefits HCC students who need financial assistance.Sandy Harriman, executive director of the HCC Educational Foundation, said she hopes the Olympic spirit isn't gone and that spectators will come out to see the two Olympians and learn about Grand Prix show-jumping.

EXCEPT FOR THE giant "F" on the outside, the corporate headquarters of Fila USA might be mistaken for any of the suburban office buildings constructed north of Towson during the past 20 years.From the moment you set foot inside the front door, however, it's clear that this is a one-of-a-kind workplace.The entrance lobby is a narrow corridor reminiscent of concrete tunnels beneath stadiums and arenas.After walking past the receptionist, visitors and employees emerge into a large atrium filled with natural light.