Sports Briefs

■ Olympics
Swimmer files dope lawsuit
A former East German swimmer has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation from Germany's National Olympic Committee for health damage she says she suffered as a result of systematic doping in the communist nation. Karen Koenig, a former European champion, became the first to file a lawsuit on Thursday after a recent court ruling entitled her to receive financial help to cover costs of a trial. The NOC could now become the target of lawsuits by as many as several hundred former East German athletes who were given drugs under a state-sponsored program without their knowledge. "All [East German] doping victims will profit from Ms. Koenig's civil courage. I assume other lawsuits will follow," said Koenig's lawyer, Jens Steinigen. Koenig, who says she suffered hormonal problems as a result of taking performance-enhancing drugs, is seeking 10,225 euros (US$11,656) in damages.

■ Motor Racing
Foyt unhurt in Indy crash
A.J. Foyt IV escaped injury when he crashed his car on Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He was cleared to continue practicing for the Indy 500. Foyt, a rookie driving for his grandfather, a four-time Indy champion, spun coming out of the fourth turn and brushed the wall. The car spun back around as it skidded down the track and hit the outside wall a second time, damaging the rear end. The elder Foyt said a cut left rear tire caused the 19-year-old driver to lose control. The crash was the second since practice began this week for the race May 25. On Tuesday, Shigeaki Hattori sustained a concussion and a broken little finger on his left hand. Hattori had surgery on the finger Wednesday.

■ Soccer
Lennon attacked in car
Former Northern Ireland captain Neil Lennon was assaulted in Glasgow just hours after Celtic reclaimed top spot in the Scottish premier league, newspapers reported yesterday. Glasgow-based newspapers The Scottish Sun and the Daily Record said Lennon was headbutted after remonstrating with three men who began shaking his car after it stopped at traffic lights in the west end of the city early on Thursday morning. Lennon was accompanied by a female friend, who was allegedly pushed to the ground after leaving Lennon's car. The incident occurred a few hours after Celtic beat Motherwell 4-0 -- a result that helped them reclaim top position on goal difference in the premier league from Rangers. "They were spitting all over my car and giving me a whole load of abuse. It was basically sectarian stuff," the Celtic midfielder was quoted saying in The Sun.