MARCUS O'SULLIVAN will be denied the opportunity of adding to his total of sub four minute miles in the last home appearance of his career, in tomorrow's Cork City Sports at the Mardyke.

The meet organisers have decided that there will be no change from the original decision to stage a 1,500 metres race, rather than the mile which would have suited O'Sullivan better. "Obviously, I would prefer to run a mile at this stage of the season, but I can appreciate the reasons why the organisers are staying with the original decision," he said.

"Some athletes in the field will be looking for 1,500 metres qualifying times and as such, it is only fair and right that they should be accommodated."

It means that the Irishman, a triple winner of the world 1,500 metres indoor championship, may now have to wait until he starts his last indoor season in the winter to realise his goal of running 100 sub four minute miles and the chance of joining John Walker and Steve Scott in one of sport's most exclusive clubs.

So far this year, he has beaten the four minute mark on three occasions to bring his career total to 94. And if his luck holds and he stays injury free, he should add another four to that figure during the current European outdoor season. That would still leave him tantalisingly short of the prize he covets and it would then be all down to his "ability to conjure up a couple of inspired runs on the boards next winter.

Among those scheduled to join him on the starting line tomorrow is the accomplished Kenyan, David Kibet and Britain's Matthew Yates who has, on occasions produced some excellent performances at the distance.

Also returning to Cork today is Sonia O'Sullivan who will be making one of only two home appearances this season when she takes her place on the line for the 2,000 metres event. O'Sullivan has finished second in her last two races but is still insisting that her preparations for the world championships at Athens in August, are on schedule.