Plans continue to send the Olympic torch into space

Olympic Games: Sydney's Olympic organisers (SOCOG) said yesterday they would continue with their plans to send the Olympic torch into space.

A replica of the torch which will light the Sydney Olympic cauldron was packed on board the space shuttle Atlantis for a lift-off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Monday.

But SOCOG plans were put on hold when the launch was postponed because of strong crosswinds at Cape Canaveral.

"SOCOG remains confident that the torch will be in space in time to promote the start of the Sydney 2000 torch relay," a SOCOG spokesman said.

The Olympic flame will be ignited on May 10th from the sun's rays at the Temple of Hera near the ancient ruins of Olympia, starting a five-month journey which will culminate with the lighting of the cauldron at the Sydney Olympic stadium on September 15th.

Greek Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos said yesterday that concerns by IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch that Athens was falling behind in its 2004 Games preparations were justified.

"I believe the (Samaranch) statements give a fairly realistic picture," Pangalos, whose ministry has the overall responsibility for the Athens Olympics, told reporters.

Cricket: Gerry Brophy, the 24-year-old South African-born wicket-keeper/batsman who made quite an impression when he played for Merrion in 1995, will make his international debut when Ireland take on Shropshire in the first round of the NatWest Trophy at Castle Avenue next Tuesday (10.45).

Brophy, the only new cap in the 12-man panel, has been preferred ahead of Alan Rutherford and Jonathan Bushe, who were in Ireland's squad during the Emerging Nations Tournament in Zimbabwe earlier this month.

Motor Sport: Brands Hatch motor racing circuit yesterday claimed to have significant support from local people for its £25 million redevelopment plans to host the British Grand Prix from 2002.

A statement from Brands Hatch said that the results of a poll conducted by ICM showed that 85 per cent of those who responded supported the track's development.

Hockey: The Ireland under-21s will replace France in the senior Celtic Cup tournament which brings Scotland and Wales to Belfield on May 26th-28th.

"We'll particularly enjoy playing our senior team," said the under-21 coach George Blackwood on arrival back from Germany where the weekend's practice matches for an under-strength squad were "a useful exercise" in the build-up for the European Junior Championship in Madrid in July.

Cycling: One month before the FBD Milk Ras, defending champion Philip Cassidy yesterday posted the clearest warning of intent to his rivals by winning the five-day Tour of the North.

Cassidy finished fourth on the final 73-mile stage to beat a field comprising of riders from Ireland and England, with visiting rider Wayne Randle closest to the 38-year-old, 11 seconds in arrears.

Hill Running: The annual charity hill-run to the top of Three Rock mountain in south Co Dublin takes place this evening. The race, which is organised by the Irish Mountain Running Association, starts near Lamb Doyle's pub at 7.30. All proceeds go to the aid agency GOAL. More information from Paul Cullen at 086 8255644.