Hession's fastest run ineligible for record

ATHLETICS:PAUL HESSION last night endured the frustration of seeing his fastest ever 200-metre run ruled out for record purposes because of a strong tailwind.

Hession clocked 20.26 seconds in finishing third at the Olympic meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece, inside his Irish record of 20.30, but the following wind of three metres per second was over the limit of two allowed under IAAF rules.

Victory went to Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe in 20.06.

In second place with 20.16 was Anastasios Gousis of Greece, a finalist in the World Championships in Osaka.

Despite the disappointment Hession was well pleased with his run.

"I'm delighted with the race and would have run faster but I found lane two rather cramped and the guy on my outside was off his blocks rather slow and that did not help," he said.

"Also, in lane two, I was detached from the better runners on the outside lanes but I'm very happy to have this quality race as a couple of those in it will be in contention for places in the Olympic final."

Dwain Chambers faces a double trial in his bid to compete in next month's Olympic Games in Beijing. The sprinter is seeking a British High Court order next Wednesday to lift a lifetime ban on competing in Olympic events imposed by the British Olympic Association because he once used performance-enhancing drugs.

But before that he must take first or second place in the 100 metres at the Olympic trials in Birmingham at the weekend.