Swimming: Australian swimming president Terry Gathercole said yesterday the sport's world governing body should upgrade its doping control procedures.

FINA chastised Ian Thorpe yesterday for complaining about drug testing procedures at last month's Berlin World Cup meet. Gathercole said he would write to FINA and urge them to upgrade procedures to ensure the older-style equipment used in Berlin was changed to glass bottles.

Golf: Europe's leading development tour for young professionals, has signed a five-year sponsorship deal writes Dermot Gilleece. Spearheaded by Ireland's Dara O'Neill and Aidan Murphy, thegolfmarket.com Tour, is to stage the first of its 15 events at St Laurent GC in Brittany on March 14th to 17th.

"All tournaments will carry a minimum, guaranteed first prize of £10,000," said O'Neill last night. "Our tour is open to all professionals, including PGA members, European Tour players and those who have recently left amateur ranks."