Athletics: Pat Duffy, director of the National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick, has warned against the "grants culture" from becoming the sole source of preparation for Ireland's Olympic and International athletes, writes Ian O'Riordan.

Speaking at the NCTC's seven-year review of its contribution to Irish sport, Duffy called for greater investment in all aspects of sport, and that "handing money on a plate was not the answer".

"Athletes have to take some of the responsibility for the own performance," he said, "and they can't just hide behind the system. They must not expect that once they get a grant, the rest will come easy."

Duffy also stated that further investment was necessary in coaching, but he rejected criticism from the Olympic Council of Ireland that the NCTC didn't have the high-performance back-up in place.

The current NCTC board of management has also been concluded and a new board will be set up in February.

Cycling: Following the earlier signings of Ciaran Power and Mark Scanlon, national road race champion David McCann is set to become the third Irish rider in the professional ranks for 2001, writes Shane Stokes.

The 27-year-old has been offered a contract with the second division Mat Ceresit CCC team and will finalise details before their team presentation in Poland early next week.

The offer comes in the wake of a strong season for the Belfast rider, which included an encouraging display alongside the world's best in the Olympic road race. McCann's currency increased further recently when he was named as the best French-based amateur in 2000.

Indeed, the current UCI ranking-lists show that only 14 amateurs worldwide have more points, making him an attractive prospect for teams searching for fresh talent.

Motor Sport: Motor racing's ruling body, the FIA, gave the go-ahead yesterday for traction control systems to be reintroduced in Formula One.

But it said in a statement the removal of all restrictions on the electronic control of engines and transmissions would have to be part of a package of new measures to improve safety.

The FIA's World Motor Sport Council accepted the recommendation of its technical working group that electronic systems which allow smoother starts, reduce wheelspin and give more grip in corners and in the wet should be allowed for the first time since 1993.