Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 191

Chicago Tribune, Friday, July 24, 1992 Section 9 11 Olympic i i IOC backs pros; some federations issue cons International basketball now welcomes pros to the Olympics. Boxing and baseball do not For many years, the Olympics were a bastion of amateurism. All professionals were barred. That standard gradually broke down, with sports such as track and field acknowledging that most competitors were earning money. Now sports like hockey and tennis wel Reuters photo Mirror image: Danell Nicholson of Chicago jng the U.S.

Olympic boxing team's first training watches his reflection in a gymnasium mirror dur- session in Barcelona last weekend. Field tough; so are XJ.S. boxers 2 South Siders among those who hope for upsets A A heavyweight and trained down to 201. U.S. coach Joe Byrd is optimistic about his fighters' chances.

"I think we're going to come back with four or five gold medals," he said. Only one U.S. boxer 106-pound Eric Griffin won a gold medal at the world championships last year, though six won gold at the World Championships Challenge this year. Griffin, a four-time world champion, is favored to win a gold medal for the first time after missing the team in 1988 because he failed a drug test. Other U.S.

boxers with the best shots at the gold are Oscar de la Hoya (132), Vernon Forrest (139), Raul Marquez (156) and Larry Donald (super-heavyweight). The field includes about 30 fighters at each of eight weight classes. Bouts are scheduled for three three-minute rounds. There is no seeding in the open draw, which will be made Saturday. This means No.

1 could fight No. 2 in the first round of the single-elimination tournament. Tribune wire services contributed to this report. 7 School, has a victory this year over Germany's Bert Teuchert, the No. 4-ranked amateur in the world at his weight class.

Griffin, 22 and a former Simeon High School athlete, defeated two amateurs with world rankings: No. 2 Andrei Kurniavka of the Commonwealth of Independent States and No. 10 Rick Tamperi of Australia. Another factor that should work in the Chicagoans' favor, especially Griffin's, is that Olympic bouts will be scored electronically for the first time. This allows fans and boxers to keep track of who is winning between rounds.

A point is awarded to a fighter when he strikes a blow. that is acknowledged by three of the five ringside judges. They must push a corresponding button within a second. Griffin, whose late father Clarence ran the Windy City Gym on the South Side, excels at the stick-and-move style that runs up points in the new scoring system. As for Nicholson, he might rival Savon for sheer strength among 201 -pounders.

Nicholson also boxed as a super- come pros to the Olympics. That change has had the enthusiastic support of Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the IOC, who often has said he wants the best athletes their amateur or professional status notwithstandingat the Games. The word "amateur" was erased from the Olympic Charter, the bylaws of the Games, a decade ago. jMIM THE INVESTORS 900 W. Armitage, Chicogo 312-929-8480 BEST OF LUCK OLYMPIANS! ALPHA-METRO REAL ESTATE 6223 W.

Dempster Morton Grove 708-966-4500 PONTARELLI BUILDERS INC. THE CONDOMINIUM EXPERTS 747 W.Devon Ave. Park Ridge, IL 60068 708-698-4200 BUILD UP THE GOLD! Manhattan Apartments 431 S. Dearborn Chicago, IL 60605 312-922-1117 "Luxury Apartments Closest to the Call us for our summer specials! EURNHAM PARK PLAZA 9th Wabash Avenue Studios, 1,2. 3 BR's1 2 baths Hours: Call for Appointment 312-427-0123 2 E.

8TH APARTMENTS and the US Olympic team combine for a Winning Team! 2 Bedrooms from $929month 312-929-2361 METROPLEX MANAGEMENT 312-726-0083 100 W. Chestnut Rienzi Plaza Windermere House Call for more information GOLU3 COMPANY "Specializing in fine Properties" 312-649-0680 KRITT IS IT 312-486-4400 JEROME H. MEYER CO. 312-944-4924 Contact Our Leasing Specialist "New Vintage Properties in Gold Coast, Lincoln Park Lakeview LATHOMUS REALTY GROUP 15 E. Superior 312-944-2611 2768 N.

Lincoln 312-525-2611 Chicago, Illinois TOWN MANAGEMENT 1015 N.Clark St. Chicago, IL 60610 312-787-1966 See our beautiful opts at 833 W. Buena in historic Buena Park (4200 North, near lake) Call for appointment 31 2-935-971 7 CORPORATE SUITES OF PRESIDENTIAL VILLAS Just bring your luggage. Leave the rest to usl Winners of the Prestitious ALEX AWARD 'The Best in Chicagoland" You don't have to be a president to live like onel CORPORATE OFFICE: 708-719-9048 INVESCO 78 Broadway Des Plaines, IL 60016 708-824-4078 BRING IT HOMEI CORPORATE SUITES OF PRESIDENTIAL VILLAS Just bring your luggage. Leave the rest to usl Winners of the Prestitious ALEX AWARD "The Best in Chicagoland" You don't have to be a president to live like onel CORPORATE OFFICE: 708-719-9048 REINSISSEL RESTAURANT REAL ESTATE "RESTAURANT SPECIALISTS" 1937 W.

living Park Road Alex Reinsisssl312-281-3653 Member of Illinois Restaurant Assoc. ALPHA-METRO REAL ESTATE 6223 W. Dempster Morton Grove 708-966-4500 LL Associated Press "1 you can see Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing in the Olympic Games, why can't you see Evander Holyfield and Mark McGwire? The reason is the rules not of the International Olympic Committee, but of the individual federations governing the sports of the Games. QWiJQllB CASTLE KEEPERS REALTY 729 S. Dearborn Chicago, IL 60605 312-922-2865 Located in Hot Printer's Row Luxury Condos, Unique Lofts, Creative Townnomes.

Walking Tours from Office Daily CENTURY 21 KRUGER ASSOCIATES 724 S. Dearborn Chicago, IL 60605 312-663-1991 We specialize in residential properties; condos, townnomes, single family loftsl Open 7 Days Call Usl LEEOVIC REALTY GROU? 7337 N.Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60646 708-676-1100 Residential-Commercial 3 Offices to Serve You. City Suburbs OGDEN PARTNERS Dearborn Park II Townhouses from $174,900 14th (State Street 312-431-0777 CHURCHILL DAYTON REALTY, LTD. new name to remember in fine 959 N. Hoisted Chicago; IL 60614 312-943-1959 BELIARD, GORDON PARTNERS REAL ESTATE 1650 N.Wells Chicago, IL 60614 312-943-1980 Without ARE the City Living Experts! THE INVESTORS 900 W.

Armitage, Chicago 312-929-8480 GOOD LUCK TO THE AMERICAN TEAMI THE PRUDENTIAL AMERICAN ADVANTAGE 4210-12 W.Montrose, Chicago GROUP I PROPERTIES 312-855-1093 THE BAKERY RESIDENCES-Call for more info. HADERLEIN CO. REALTORS 3413 N. Paulina, Chicago 312-525-9119 We're so proud of the Olympiansll WAYNE ETHER9DGE REAL ESTATE 1920 N. Lincoln Ave.

Chicago 312-337-1105 W.E.R.E. PROFESSIONALS Good Luck to the American Teamll ERA SACK REALTY 1115 W. Armitage Chicago, IL 60614 312-880-0277 GO FOR THE GOLDII GLASCOTT ASSOCIATES 2156 N. Hoisted, Chicago 312-281-0701 GOOD LUCK OLYMPIANSIII MIDWEST PROPERTIES 2100 N. Southport, Chicago 312-472-2600 Olympians-We Salute You-We Support Youl PALORMO REALTY 734 W.

Fullerton, Chicago 312-248-2922 Serving the North Side since 1965. ZITO REALTY, INC RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY 8156 W. Forest Preserve Ave. 312-625-4444 JEYELL REALTY, INC 7512 W. Belmont, Chicago 312-804-9000 TROY REALTY LTD 5420 N.

Harlem Ave. Chicago 312-792-3000 CENTURY 21 RIDGEWOOD 8536 W. Lawrence Ave Chicago, IL 60656 708-453-0020 BRINGING IT HOMEI Ctxo ERA-DOETSCH REALTY "First in Service" 910 Greenwood, Glenview 708-729-0004 REMAX DEERFIELD 757 N. Deerfield Rood 708-945-5200 ARTHUR GOLDNER ASSOCIATES, INC. 40 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 100 Northbrook, IL 708-291-3600 TOWER REALTY 674 Green Bay Road Winnetka, IL 708-446-4616 Betty Collias CENTURY 21 CAHILL BROTHERS 1368 Shermer Road, Northbrook IL 60062 7082728200 REMAX VILLAGER "Experience and Service you con count on" 1245 Glenview 708-657-9100 CENTURY 21 COACHLIGHT 7735 N.

Milwaukee, Niles 708-967-9320 BEST OF LUCK OLYMPIANSI CENTURY 21 1 ADVANTAGE REALTY 764 N. Rand Rd. Lake Zurich, IL 60047 708-438-2100 GOFORTHEGOLDI i CENTURY 21 GRANT ASSOCIATES 83 W. Main Street 708-438-8808 GOOD LUCK TO ALU I ERA CALLERO CATINO 7800 Milwaukee, Niles 312-774-1900 708-967-6800 BEST OF LUCK OLYMPIANSI TOWN SQUARE REALTY LTD. SERVING BEAUTIFUL MCHENRY CNTY Inch Crystal Lake, Woodstock, McHenty Algonquin, Marengo Harvard 1 12 Cass Woodstock, IL 60098 815-338-7111 WM.

L. KUNKEL 734 Lee Street Des Plaines, IL 60016 708-298-5055 WINI WINI WINI CERMAK ROAD REALTY 6226 W. Cermak Berwyn 708-484-48000 "IF WE CAN'T SELL 'EM WE CAN BUY "EMI" CENTURY 21 FRANKS' 514 Spring Rd, Elmhurst 708-832-7300 REMAX WEST 1275 S. Main, Lombard 708-627-3629 REALTY WORLD ROATH 425 S. Main, Lombard 708-629-0014 REMAX PREFERRED 715 W.Loke St, Addison 708-628-1485 SCHILLER REAL ESTATE 528 York Rd, Elmhurst 708-834-0582 RICK LEVIN ASSOCIATES Real Estate Auctions 312-946-9500 i i OWLS NEST REALTY 216 Main Street Eagle River Wisconsin 715-479-4429 Wmm it for medals and more By Bill Jauss first glance, Chi- A cago's Danell and Montell Show would LiiA appear to have little chance to bring home any medals from the 1992 Olympic boxing tournament.

After all, neither Danell Nicholson nor Montell Griffin, South Side residents and U.S. boxers at 178 and 201 pounds, respectively, is ranked among the top 10 amateur fighters in the world at his weight classification. Yet the field for this Olympics is packed with world-ranked boxers. The Olympic field at 178 is headed by Torstern May of Germany ranked No. 1 in the world.

The Olympic favorite at 201 is Felix Savon of Cuba, also ranked first and regarded as perhaps the strongest fighter pound for pound in the Olympic Games. And yet, first glances are not always accurate. For one thing, the world rankings were made Jan. 1. Both Chicago boxers have improved tremendously since then.

Nicholson, 24 and a former basketball star at Dunbar High Wrestlers in By Mike Conklin he way two-time Olympic wrestler Bruce Baumgartner sees it, the United States has assembled the strongest freestyle squad in history. "I know this is the first team I've been on where I feel all 10 wrestlers are capable of winning a medal," said the heavyweight. The U.S. team, decided at challenge matches in early June in Pittsburgh, has true leaders in three former Olympic gold-medal winners: John Smith at 136.S pounds, Kenny Monday at 163 pounds and Baumgartner. Smith never has lost a match in the Summer Games or the world championships and this year became the first U.S.

wrestler in history to be voted the international federation's No. 1 competitor after years of domination by Eastern Europeans. At 31, Baumgartner can become the first wrestler from this country to win a third Olympic medal in freestyle. He won gold in '84 and silver in '88. The rest of coach Bobby Douglas' team has experience, speed and a sprinkling of youth.

If one more thing will push the U.S. closer to the medal ceremonies, it is this: Most of the wrestlers are competing for their livelihoods. Seven U.S. team members are coaches in college programs, and these days, the sport is an endangered species on campuses. That's because the NCAA, in a push for more equity among genders, is expected to adopt legislation in the next year that many administrators predict will lead to trims in men intercollegiate sports.

Combined with the fact the number of mat programs already has shrunk over the last decade, it is a bleak picture. "There's no question that a strong showing by our team will help further the sport's cause," said Douglas, who coached NCAA champions at Arizona i send Saunders (149.5) of Phoenix and Chris Campbell (198) of Fayetteville, N.Y. Campbell, a 37-year-old attorney and an articulate competitor sure to draw media attention ris a former part-time assistant who would like to get back into coaching. The final medal count should be a two-team race. The biggest challenge to the U.S.

should come from the Unified Team, which has five reigning world champions. The only other nation that should be able to compete on a team basis will be Iran. Bulgaria, Turkey and North Korea have individual stars capable of getting in the way of top contenders. While the future of college wrestling is problematic, the U.S. future at the international level never looked better.

The '92 Games will see Unified Team members representing the dominant Soviet Union program for the last time. In '96 in Atlanta, many of these same wrestlers will be spread among the republics. In the U.S., USA Wrestling in Colorado Springs governs the amateur side of the sport and is headed by new executive director Jim Scherr, a member of the '88 Olympic team, and president Terry McCann, a Chicagoan who won a gold in '60. Through improved marketing and fundraising, they've helped guide the organization to the point that wrestlers finally get ample support and competitive outlets to continue at advanced ages. "That's always been a problem," said Douglas.

"In the past, our international teams always were young and inexperienced because there was nowhere to go after college. Now that we've got the organization functioning at this higher level, it's just important to make sure the foundation stays strong. The best way, right now, is to be as successful as we can in the Olympics." Baumgartner Douglas State before recently taking over at Iowa State. "These days we need everything we can." No one knows the situation better than Baumgartner, head coach at Edinboro (Pa.) University. His alma mater, Indiana State, no longer has a wrestling program.

His coach at the Indiana school, Fran McCann, subsequently had the rug pulled earlier this year at Notre Dame in a decision that drew national attention. "I talked to Coach McCann after it happened and he was down," said Baumgartner. "I know he'll probably stay at Notre Dame for now at some other job, but I think he'd like to coach somewhere else if he could find a program. There aren't that many good situations out there. "The thing that really hurts wrestling is that we don't have a counter for women like you find in basketball or swimming.

I think the sport will always maintain a certain level of popularity. It can be a revenue producer if it's done the right way." Smith and Monday coach at Oklahoma State, a program that's had significant problems due to an NCAA investigation. The other coaches on the team are: Kevin Jackson (180.S), an assistant, at Iowa State; Zcke Jones (114.5), an assistant at Bloomsburg State, and Mark Coleman (220), an Ohio State assistant. Kendall Cross (125.5) is a graduate assistant at Oklahoma State. Completing the team are Tim Vanni (105.5) of Phoenix, Town-.