Bannister humble about milestone

When Roger Bannister threw himself across the finish line 50 years ago, he did much more than break the four-minute mile - he accomplished what many people thought was impossible. Now a 75-year-old grandfather, Bannister returned to the track at Iffley Road in Oxford, England, Thursday in honor of the anniversary of his unforgettable run on May 6, 1954.

The retired neurologist spoke modestly of his record time of 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds.

"None of my athletics was the greatest achievement," Bannister said. "My medical work has been my achievement and my family with 14 grandchildren."

Lynn Davies, president of UK Athletics and the 1964 Olympic long jump gold medalist, had another perspective. "What he did was equal with (climbing) Mount Everest, or the first man on the moon," Davies said.

Bloom loses injunction bid

Colorado receiver Jeremy Bloom lost a bid for an injunction against the NCAA in the Colorado Court of Appeals, leaving the organization with the final say on whether he may play football while collecting endorsement money as a pro skier.

Said Bloom: "It is still my intention to play college football. It is the NCAA's responsibility to determine if I will be eligible for collegiate competition next fall." The NCAA has said its rules prohibit endorsement money, though athletes can earn a salary as a professional in a different sport.

Hotel workers threaten walkout

Union leaders said employees of many of the major hotels in Athens, Greece, will strike during the Aug. 13-29 Olympics if they do not get an 8 percent increase in wages and a two-month bonus for work during the games. The average monthly wage for a housekeeping employee is $740.

That's "as much as one night at a good hotel. Isn't that unfair?" union president Christos Katsiotis said. On Tuesday, Greek police threatened to start a series of pre-Olympic strikes to demand hazard pay for safeguarding the games.