Athletics: The Athletics Association of Ireland yesterday nominated Teresa Duffy for the women's marathon at the Sydney Olympics, reports Ian O'Riordan.
Following Monday's withdrawal of Catherina McKiernan, who was pre-selected on the B-standard qualifying time, Duffy remains the only other Irish woman with a marathon qualifying mark within the last year.
Duffy was six and a half minutes inside the B-standard time of two hours 45 minutes when she ran 2:38.30 in London last April and all federations have the right to nominate one B-standard athlete providing no one has achieved the A-standard. However, the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) maintains they will only be selecting B-standard athletes in "really exceptional circumstances" - a decision made back in 1997.
McKiernan was selected in such circumstances but whether they will view Duffy in the same light remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the OCI have released the latest selection of confirmed team members for Sydney following a meeting on Monday night. The three athletes named have all achieved A-standards. The OCI's next selection meeting will be on July 28th and it is expected they will begin to hear the case from the athletics and swimming bodies for the selection of B-standard athletes.
Eight riders were selected for the Three-Day Event squad - seven riders plus one reserve - although only one will travel to Sydney.
Ireland Olympic Team (confirmed): Athletics - J Menton (Discus); R Heffernan (20km Walk); J Costin (50km Walk); M Lane (Walk Coach); Cycling - Men: C Power, D McCann (Road Race); Women: D Murphy (Road Race); Equestrian - Three-Day Event: S Harrison, P Donegan, A O'Connor, T Smith, E Smiley, S Shortt, V McGrath, N Cassidy; C Cantillon O'Keeffe, G Holstein (Coaches); Sailing - J Hynes, G Connolly (Coaches).
Athletics: Merlene Ottey will compete in her first race since being cleared by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) of doping in the 100 metres at today's meet in Nuoro, Sardinia.
The 40-year-old, who is targeting that event at the Sydney Olympics, pulled out of the World Championships in Spain last August after her second test from the Lucerne meeting of July 5th was returned positive. She always denied the charge.
Tennis: Pete Sampras yesterday said it was "highly unlikely" he would be able to accept a berth on the US team, which is expected to be announced today, for their Davis Cup semi-final against Spain in Santander on July 21st-23rd.
Sampras fought through a painful case of tendinitis in his left shin on his way to winning a seventh Wimbledon singles title on Sunday for an all-time best 13 Grand Slam triumphs.
Sampras said he was only able to play through the pain and discomfort at Wimbledon by taking "aggressive measures" in treating his injury and now rest may be required.
Rugby: Australia's rugby union selectors have ruled out any chance of Matthew Burke making his comeback in Saturday's Tri-Nations match against New Zealand.
The full back, who has not played for Australia since last year's World Cup final victory over France after injuring himself during the Super 12 provincial series, failed a fitness test.
