Diack sends soft signals

Athletics: A more sympathetic approach to athletes involved in doping cases was urged by new International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) president Lamine Diack in Monte Carlo yesterday. Only hours after the 26-strong IAAF council approved that Diack take over as president until 2001 following the death of Primo Nebiolo, Diak immediately touched on the controversy over performance enhancing drugs.

"We started the battle against doping and we continue to lead the struggle. Now the International Olympic Committee and governments are joining forces with us," said Diack.

"But some cases are very iffy. Sometimes we will have to be lenient. We have to talk to the athletes, to listen," added the 66-year-old Senegalese.

His comments, which come less than 24 hours before the IAAF council will hear reports on the doping charges against England's Olympic gold medallist sprinter Linford Christie and Cuban high jumper Javier Sotomayor, is likely to raise eyebrows.

BOXING: Frank Warren is bidding to bring Mike Tyson to Britain in the new Millennium. And, the promoter is hoping to feature Tyson at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on January 15th.

But Warren faces competition from Germany, where his opposite number Peter Kohl, backed by television money, is working to lure Tyson to Cologne to fight in Europe for the first time.

American cable network Showtime are interested in the deal, while Sky Television have signed Tyson in a four-fight agreement which makes provision for one of those bouts to be staged in Europe.

Motor Sport: The former world champion Jacques Villeneuve ended speculation about his future at British American Racing yesterday when he said that he would see out his contract with the Formula One team until the end of 2000.

The Canadian vowed to stay put despite failing to score a single point last season and despite the fact that the future of his close friend, manager and team chairman Craig Pollock at BAR is still uncertain.

Snooker: Marathon man Lee Walker showed no signs of fatigue as he competed in his second match of the day at the £500,000 Liverpool Victoria UK Championship in Bournemouth yesterday.

Walker featured in the third longest best of 17 frames contest in snooker history as he came from 8-4 down to beat Fergal O'Brien 9-8 in round three.

The 23-year-old Welshman completed his gruelling comeback at 12.45 in the morning in a match that had started at 10am on Wednesday. Walker eventually prevailed after eight hours 34 minutes but was back in action in the afternoon against Yorkshireman Jimmy Michie.