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

Manzano admits using drugs designed for use in animals

DOPING:The former professional cyclist Jesús Manzano told the Operación Puerto trial that he was given drugs that had been developed for use in animals in order to boost his performance and had to insert powder into his penis to mask the use of EPO.

“Actovegin and Oxiglobin are for animals,” Manzano said. “We used to joke in the team that some days you barked and others you mooed.”

He told the court he was treated with erythropoietin (EPO) in 2000, 2001 and 2003 by Eufemiano Fuentes, the doctor at the centre of the Puerto case, adding that Fuentes and his sister used to provide riders with “white powders” which would mask the blood booster. “The white powder was put into the penis to deteriorate urine. That way we didn’t test positive with EPO.”

To pass International Cycling Union (UCI) controls, riders used to transfuse saline solution and human albumin into their bloodstream to lower the hematocrit level, Manzano said. “They injected a litre,” he explained.

“A month before an extraction we took EPO,” he added, claiming that it was best to leave an additional 12-day margin so as not to test positive.

Splaine reappointed to managerial role

EQUESTRIAN:Robert Splaine has been reappointed Horse Sport Ireland's show jumping high performance manager.

The recommendation of the Corkman, who has been in the position since 2005, was made following a second round of interviews on Monday and his appointment was ratified by the board of HSI on Tuesday night.

Last year, Splaine led the Irish team to victory in the Nations' Cup at the RDS which saw them claim the Aga Khan trophy for the first time in eight years. He also selected Cian O'Connor to represent the country at the London Olympics where the Meath-based rider won a bronze medal with Blue Loyd.

The first of this season's FEI Nations' Cup competitions takes place in Wellington, Florida, on Friday, March 1st.

MARGIE McLOONE

Ireland prove too strong for Israel

BADMINTON:Team Ireland continued their excellent form at the European mixed team championships in Russia with a dominant display in a 4-1 victory over Israel.

Sam and Chloe Magee got the match off to a perfect start with an easy two-set win over Chislov and Pugach.

Jonathan Dolan stepped into fill the shoes of Scott Evans in the men's singles and the Sligo native put up a brave show against Misha Zilberman, a player ranked inside the world's top 60, before going down in two close sets.

Chloe Magee was never out of first gear in her women's singles before Scott Evans and Sam Magee secured the victory with a two-set win in the men's doubles.

Jenny King and Sinead Chambers delivered the fourth point to Ireland in another easy two-set win.