UNIONDALE, New York: Sang Lan, the Chinese gymnast left paralysed after a missed vault in warm-up for the Goodwill Games, had seven hours of surgery on Sunday to fuse two fractured and dislocated vertebrae in her neck, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The operation, intended to stabilise Sang's spine and aimed at enabling her to sit up, was deemed a success, said Nassau county medical centre spokeswoman Shelley Lotenberg.The surgical team is scheduled to discuss the operation and Sang's condition at a news conference today.

Meanwhile, the stricken gymnast's parents, father Sang Shisheng and mother Shen Xiufeng, arrived last night after a long journey from their home in Ningbo, China, and reportedly went straight to the hospital to see their daughter.

The 17-year-old Sang, China's national women's vault champion, was hurt Tuesday after she crashed during a warmup vault before her Goodwill Games event at Nassau Coliseum.

FINA impose one year banon Fibbens

LAUSANNE, Switzerland: The world governing body of swimming -- FINA --suspended British swimmer Michael Fibbens for one year after he tested positive for the banned stimulant Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.The positive test occurred in March after he won the 100 Freestyle in a World Cup meet in Sheffield, England.

His one-year ban from all competition ends March 14, 1999.On Friday, the Fina doping panel put off a decision on a possible life ban against three-time Olympic gold medalist Michelle Smith of Ireland for allegedly manipulating a urine sample.

In another case, Fina Friday suspended four Chinese swimmers for two years after they tested positive for banned substances in the World Championships in Perth, Australia, in January.

Bailey erases sour memories with win

BARCELONA: World record holder Donovan Bailey inched out ahead of Davidson Ezinwa of Nigeria to win the 100M at the Barcelona International Track meeting.

The Canadian sprinter, who was looking toerase sour memories of his Goodwill Games defeat by Maurice Greene last week, covered the Barcelona race in 10.27, way over his Atlanta '96 record of 9.84. Ezinwa finished in 10.23 while Jamaica's Michael Green was third with 10.43. Steve Lewis, of the United States, won the 400 metres in a time of 45:38, ahead of Ken Harndenes of Zimbabwe with 45:49. Agencies