1.   Al Oerter, the great discus champion, once divulged his training technique to me.

2.   Grand Prix discus champion Dmitry Shevchenko of Russia has been banned for four years after testing positive for steroids, the International Amateur Athletic Federation said Tuesday.

3.   Ilke Wyludda, the Germany discus Olympic champion, also showed her class in Linz.

4.   Olympic discus champion Virgilijus Alekna of Lithuania got revenge over bronze medalist Frantz Kruger of South Africa for his defeat last week.

5.   Other top entries at Pretoria include Olympic discus champion Virgilijus Alekna of Lithuania and bronze medalist Frantz Kruger of South Africa.

6.   Discus triple world champion Lars Riedel, the iron man of Germany, also came through but only after flirting with a repeat disaster.