NAMES IN THE NEWS : Back Keeps Bubka Out of Games

SEATTLE — Back problems will prevent Sergei Bubka, the Soviet Union’s 1988 Olympic gold medal winner and world record-holder in the pole vault, from competing in the 1990 Goodwill Games, which start Friday, Soviet officials said.

Word of his loss from the games was announced by Nikolai Rusak, chairman of the Soviet Ministry of Physical Culture and Sport, shortly after the first contingent of Soviet athletes arrived in Seattle on Monday.

Rusak did not elaborate on the condition of Bubka, 26, who holds the world mark at 19 feet, 10 1/2 inches.