A round-up of today's other sport's news in brief ...
Dutch gymnast van Gelder suspended
GYMNASTICS: Former world champion gymnast Yuri van Gelder was suspended by his Dutch federation yesterday after admitting he used cocaine days before winning the rings event at a national competition last month.
The KNGU Dutch gymnastics union said it had suspended the 26-year-old temporarily after a positive urine test result for cocaine, pending a decision by a disciplinary committee, and had stripped him of the gold medal he won at the June event.
Van Gelder described his recreational cocaine use three days before the Dutch championship as an idiotic decision and said he regretted it profoundly. I only did it for the fun, van Gelder said.
“I’m devastated about whats happened, adding that the Dutch Defence Ministry had suspended him from his job as a sergeant ahead of a possible dismissal.
Henson insists he has no intention of quitting rugby
RUGBY: Gavin Henson last night insisted he has “no intention” of quitting rugby. The Wales and Ospreys centre (27) met with club executives yesterday afternoon and confirmed he was not considering an early retirement.
Reports earlier suggested Henson, who is recovering from a groin injury, had become disillusioned with the sport.
Henson said last night: “I’ve certainly been having difficulties with the recurring injury but I have absolutely no intention of quitting the game. I’m receiving the best medical care to help me address the injury problem, and I’m sure that I’ll be able to put it behind me in the very near future.”
An Ospreys statement last night detailed that Henson, despite speculation to the contrary, reported for duty to undergo further treatment on his groin injury before meeting with club management.
Henson started just two of Wales’ nine internationals last season due to a combination of Achilles, calf and groin problems.
Tributes to John Caldwell
BOXING: The President of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, Dominic O’Rourke, has led the tributes to 1956 Olympian John Caldwell, who passed away last Friday aged 71 following a long battle with cancer. He remains will be buried today in Milltown Cemetery in Belfast.
The multi-talented Ulsterman, a flyweight of enormous skill and courage, boxed out of the Immaculata club in Belfast and won many honours, including an Olympic bronze medal and world titles.
In 1956 he was the youngest member of the Irish boxing team that claimed three bronze and one silver medal at the Melbourne Olympics.
Fred Tiedt (silver), Fred Gilroy (bronze), and Anthony Byrne (bronze) also finished in podium positions in the boxing event at the 1956 Olympic Games.
O’Rourke said: “John was an Irish boxing legend and he represented his country with pride and distinction both inside and outside the ring.”
Allaster defends women's rankings
TENNIS: New WTA Tour chairman Stacey Allaster defended the controversial womens rankings system following her appointment yesterday.
Russian Dinara Safina has risen to world number one despite not winning a grand slam title and American Serena Williams criticised the rankings after claiming her 11th major crown at Wimbledon this month.
“It’s a 52-week ruling average and it’s a combination of the grand slams and tour events. Without question, based on the ranking system, with consistent performance at the slams and at the tours, Dinara Safina is the number one player,” Allaster said.
World number two Williams said she “didn’t even care anymore!” about the rankings.
Froch puts his title on the line
BOXING: Carl Froch will defend his WBC 168lb world title in October against Andre Dirrell in the first fight of a round-robin tournament between six leading super middleweights, unveiled at Madison Square Garden yesterday.
Nottingham fighter Froch will compete alongside WBA champion Mikkel Kessler of Denmark, Germany’s Arthur Abraham and American trio Dirrell, Andre Ward and Jermain Taylor.
Garaway to direct operations
CRICKET: Ireland have made a significant addition to their ranks with the appointment of former England assistant coach Mark Garaway as its first Cricket Operations Director, writes Emmet Riordan.
Garaway (35) was part of the coaching team under Duncan Fletcher, Peter Moores and most recently, Andy Flower, where he undertook the role of team analyst.
Reporting to Chief Executive, Warren Deutrom, he will have responsibility for the development, implementation and continued evolution of both high performance and grassroots programmes across Ireland.
Garaway made four first-class appearances for Hampshire as a wicket-keeper, before taking over as Academy Director at The Rose Bowl. He also held the same position at Somerset and would go on to guide the first team to Twenty20 Cup success in 2005 before moving on to the England camp.
