McHugh's appeal is successful

Terry McHugh's hopes of competing in Seville are back on track following a decision of the organising committee yesterday.

McHugh achieved a qualifying standard for the javelin in the Mazda inter-club finals at Tullamore last Sunday, five days after the deadline for entries had expired. Following a personal appeal by Chris Wall, BLE's international secretary, the IAAF yesterday agreed to accept McHugh's late entry, however, and he is expected to travel to Spain within the next few days.

Meanwhile, Britain's Paula Radcliffe is adamant her self-imposed exile in the French Pyrenees this year will reap her a gold medal reward in Seville. Radcliffe, who has set new British records for 3,000 metres, 5,000m and 10,000m this season, admits she will be disappointed if she fails to produce the goods over the longer distance. During her lonely time at altitude Radcliffe has completely cleared her mind of last year's European Championships 10,000m.

Then she was left for dead in the final stages as Sonia O'Sullivan destroyed the field with a dazzling display of finishing speed.