Briefs

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Walsh and Egan against the removal of head protection

BOXING:Neither Irish head coach, Billy Walsh nor Olympic silver medallist Kenny Egan, who has entered the senior championships this year, agree with the global ruling that headgear will be removed from Olympic boxing from March of this year.

Both were of the opinion it was a backwards step for the sport as boxers will now be susceptible to cuts during championships which may see them removed from the draw on medical grounds even if they have not lost a fight.

“I was part of the era when they (head guards) came in at the ’88 Olympics on medical grounds,” said Walsh. “I think this is a move in the wrong direction. To get through five fights in a week without a cut, we are going to need a lot of luck.”

Egan, who has won 10 consecutive national senior titles said: “I wouldn’t be a fan of it. How are you going to get through the week if you are at the Europeans or the World Championships? It’s going to be hard on the body.”

Head protection will remain in place for junior and female boxers.

JOHNNY WATTERSON

Denmark's Rasmussen admits to a decade of doping

CYCLING:Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen admitted yesterday to more than a decade of doping after making a tell-all deal with anti-doping authorities.

The 38-year-old said in a televised news conference that he took performance-enhancing drugs between 1998 and 2010, both before and after he served a suspension for evading doping controls.

"I have cheated and lied. I'm ready to make good and take my punishment. I'm glad that I no longer have to lie to you, as I have done for so long," said Rasmussen, adding that he was quitting cycling immediately.

In a deal with Danish, American and Dutch anti-doping authorities, as well as world anti-doping agency Wada, Rasmussen agreed to confess everything about his experiences with doping, including naming other guilty riders.

Rasmussen admitted to using EPO, insulin, growth hormones, cortisone and other drugs as well as getting blood transfusions.

In 2007 he was kicked off the Tour de France by his team while leading the overall standings for lying about his whereabouts - information required under anti-doping regulations. He served a two-year suspension between 2007 and 2009.

Japanese head coach to resign in controversy

WOMEN'S JUDO:Japanese women’s Judo coach Ryuji Sonoda said he would resign after the country’s sports minister called for a fresh inquiry into accusations of physical abuse against female judokas.

Local media reported 15 athletes had sent a joint letter of complaint to the Japanese Olympic Council (JOC) after claiming they had been subjected to harassment and violence by head coach Sonoda and his staff in the build up to the 2012 London Games.

The athletes complained of being slapped, shoved and beaten with bamboo.

“It will be difficult for me to go any further with the training of the team,” Sonoda told reporters in Tokyo as he prepared to submit his resignation to the All Japan Judo Federation (AJJF).

“I deeply regret that my behaviour, words and actions have caused trouble. I thought that I would be able to maintain a trusting relationship , but that was my one-sided approach.”

The AJJF reprimanded Sonoda, who won gold at the 1993 world championships, and his staff on Wednesday, but the minister asked for further investigations yesterday. With Tokyo shortlisted to host the 2020 Olympics, the Japanese bid team will be keen to avoid any negative publicity in the run up to September’s vote.