Mitchell loses appeal

American sprinter Dennis Mitchell was banned for two years yesterday after his bizarre appeal following a failed drugs test was thrown out. An International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) arbitration commission announced the decision after rejecting Mitchell's claims that his high levels of testosterone were the result of him having sex and drinking beer.

The 33-year-old double world bronze medallist had tested positive for testosterone in April 1998, but was allowed to continue competing after United States athletics chiefs accepted his pleas of innocence. His ban will now be backdated to the failed test. All his performances since then will be annulled.

The IAAF's decision to overrule the American body means Mitchell will miss the World Championships in Seville, Spain, later this month. He won 100 metres bronze medals in the championships in 1991 and 1993. He also took third at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. Mitchell was at his peak in 1994, when he ran five times under 10 seconds in six weeks.

Meanwhile, four athletes go into tonight's Monaco meeting still in contention for the $1 million jackpot which goes to the athlete or athletes who succeed in winning their chosen events in all seven of this season's IAAF Golden League meetings. After the first three meetings - Oslo, Rome and Paris - Bernard Barmasai of Kenya (3000 metres steeplechase), Marion Jones of the United States (200 metres), Wilson Kipketer of Denmark (800 metres) and Gabriela Szabo of Rumania (3000/5000 metres) remain in the hunt for the big prize.

Ciaran McDonagh's attempt to win a belated call-up to Ireland's squad for the world track and field championships looked doomed last evening after the latest in a long line of misfortunes.

McDonagh appeared to have secured a nomination for the long jump championship in Seville when he achieved a B qualifying mark of 7.95 metres during a meeting at Tailinn on Sunday.

As it transpired, however, he damaged a hamstring during his next attempt and given the tight timescale involved - the championships are due to open on August 20th - it is scarcely feasible that he will have recovered in time. Thomas Coman's attempt to prove his fitness for the World Championships may well take him to London for the grand prix meeting there at the weekend.

Coman, now almost fully recovered from the injury which kept him out of the national championships, has been tentatively named in a 4 x 400 metres relay squad for Seville.

Paul McBurney, Paul McKee, Carl Oppermann and Emmett Farrell have also been nominated but in the event of Coman failing to prove his fitness, the likelihood is that Ireland's entry for the relay will be cancelled.