Jones accused of 'grandstanding'

Sports Digest: ATHLETICS: Marion Jones was accused of "grandstanding" by the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) yesterday after the sprinter called for a public hearing into doping allegations swirling around her.

Jones, who insists she has never used performance-enhancing drugs, has increasingly found herself at the centre of the doping storm surrounding BALCO, the firm under a federal doping probe in the US for illegally distributing steroids to athletes.

"My impression was that it was a grandstand performance," said Dick Pound, WADA president and International Olympic Committee member.

"The rules are quite clear. When there is a doping offence it is USADA which decides whether a charge should be laid.

"If there is, then there's a process of arbitration before arbitrators under the American Arbitration Association rules. If you're not satisfied with that you can go to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport). That's the process."

MOTOR SPORT: Irish Ferries is sponsoring a race in the Phoenix Park on the weekend of July 17/18th to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first Irish Grand Prix, at the same venue reports Brian Foley.

The 1929 Irish Grand Prix was won by the Russian Boris Ivanowski driving an Alfa Romeo. The race ran for only two more years.

Irish Ferries is also offering a sailing discount for Motorsport Ireland competition licence holders travelling abroad either to compete or on holidays.