ATHLETICS: Doubts about Alistair Cragg's participation in next month's World Indoor Championships in Moscow were eased by his coach John McDonnell yesterday, who said he would "bounce back" after his failure to finish a 3,000-metres race in Arkansas, reports Ian O'Riordan.

"Things just did not go according to plan in the race," said McDonnell, "and while there was disappointment afterwards at Alistair's failure to finish he has now made a full recovery and is definitely going to Moscow."

One athlete definitely coming into form for Moscow is Derval O'Rourke, who lowered her national record for the 60 metre hurdles when winning the British AAA title in Sheffield on Sunday with a time of 7.98 seconds.

David McCarthy also ran inside the Moscow 400 metre standard, clocking 46.81 seconds.