EPO testing for Dublin event

Athletics: Testing for the banned drug EPO will be carried out at the World Cross Country Championships in Dublin next March, writes Ian O'Riordan. It will be the first time that such testing takes place at the event.

The IAAF anti-doping department yesterday confirmed their intention to introduce EPO testing to cross country as part of their continuing crackdown on performance-enhancing substances.

The use of EPO (erythropoietin) - a synthetic hormone that increases the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells - is of particular benefit to distance runners.

The World Cross Country event has long been regarded as one of the hardest races in distance running, but the lack of EPO testing in recent years has raised questions over the credibility of some of the results.

Problems with the validity of EPO testing has long delayed its introduction, and it was only last August when the blood-urine combination test was finally approved by the IAAF.

Meanwhile, Athletics Ireland have confirmed that Martin McCarthy will replace the injured Keith Kelly for Sunday's European Cross-Country Championships in Thun, Switzerland.

Awards: Ireland's triumphant quartet from the European Showjumping Championship in Arnhem during the summer were honoured last night at the Renault Sports Celebrity Awards Banquet at the Burlington Hotel.

And one of them, Dermot Lennon, arrived fresh from a latest triumph in Stockholm last weekend.

Another notable award winner was Sam Lynch, gold medal winner in the lightweight sculls at the World Rowing Championships at Lucerne, last August.

In fact there was the usual, impressive gathering of stars for an occasion which benefits the Irish Youth Foundation. Former Olympic champion Mary Peters received a lifetime achievement award and, in the international category, Welsh golfer Ian Woosnam was honoured.

Other winners included Aidan O'Brien (Horse racing), Brian O'Driscoll and Keith Wood (Rugby), Des Smyth (Golf), Nicky English (Hurling), Packie Bonner (Soccer) and Padraig Joyce (Gaelic Football).

Drugs In Sport: Former 100-metres hurdles world and Olympic champion Ludmila Engquist has been banned for two years following a positive drugs test in October.