Cadogan cleared of drugs charge

Athletics: Gary Cadogan has become the third British athlete this summer to be cleared of taking the banned substance nandrolone.

UK Athletics yesterday announced they had dismissed disciplinary proceedings against the 400 metres runner, who had produced a positive urine sample in November 1998.

Linford Christie and Dougie Walker had already been cleared after supposedly testing positive for the drug.

UK Athletics said in a statement: "The disciplinary committee concluded that it could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the substance present in the sample was derived from a prohibited substance. Gary Cadogan has therefore been cleared of all charges."

Cadogan's plight was revealed when his name was included among a list of pending cases in an International Amateur Athletics Federation newsletter in July.

Rugby: Francois Pienaar has ruled out becoming South African national coach - for the time being at least.

The former World Cup-winning Springbok captain said: "I have a contract with Saracens and I am fully committed to them.

"Who knows what will happen in the future. I have had offers from some of the South African provinces in the past and I hope to pursue a coaching career. My whole life has been rugby and I'm still enjoying it as much as ever.

"But my total commitment is to Saracens and there is work to be done after our opening league defeat by London Irish."

Snooker: Fergal O'Brien was far from content after beginning the defence of his British Open title with a 5-1 win over John Read yesterday.

The 27-year-old Dubliner overcame an early attack of butterflies and reeled off the last four frames to set up a meeting with local hero Andy Hicks.

Rugby: Defiant Wales last night denied their Australian counterparts' claims over Jason Jones-Hughes, saying he would stay in the 30-man squad for next month's World Cup. Australian Rugby Union chief John O'Neill warned that Jones-Hughes will not be released from his contract and Wales risk fielding an ineligible player if they choose him in the prestigious competition.

O'Neill said the ARU were challenging the International Rugby Board executive committee's decision last week to uphold a Welsh appeal and rule Jones-Hughes eligible to play for Wales. O'Neill said if the New South Wales centre and former Australian Barbarians player was chosen to represent his father's homeland they might have to forfeit any game in which he played.

The IRB's regulations committee originally ruled the 23-year-old ineligible to play for any other country because a match between national first or second sides is classed as an international.