ATHLETICS: The return to Golden League athletics in Zurich last night failed to produce the desired victory for Sonia O'Sullivan, yet her third place finish over 3,000 metres still produced her fastest time in two years.
Ethiopia's Berhane Adere took the win in eight minutes 32.76 seconds, while O'Sullivan finished just a few strides down in 8.33.62. Russia's Tatyana Tomashova was second in 8.33.40.
In a strange tactical move, O'Sullivan took up the lead after the second kilometre once the Kenyan pacemaker, Naomi Mugo, dropped out. She kept pressing the pace around the next couple of laps but Adere, who had been sitting close to her shoulder, swept past shortly after the bell.
To O'Sullivan's credit, she never gave up the chase yet the line came a little too soon. Adere, the world indoor record holder over the distance, looked a deserved winner.
Earlier in the night, Zurich's great tradition of world records was maintained by Brahim Boulami with a sensational improvement on his own mark in the 3,000 metres steeplechase. A year ago the Moroccan athlete became the first non-Kenyan in 30 years to break the steeplechase record, running 7.55.28, and last night he went even better to clock 7.53.17.
SWIMMING: In an international sense, the women's 2,000-metre Dún Laoghaire Harbour swim tomorrow afternoon outstrips the men's event over the same distance.
Former European backstroke champion Julia Smoutsers of Russia, who campaigns out of the Tallaght club, figures in a truly international event. South African Tracey Telford of Phoenix is the back-marker on 14 minutes, with Kim Forde (Canada) and Carol la Porte of France also well placed in the formidable field. The defending champion is Helen Finlay (Half Moon).
Tony Morris of Aer Lingus, who won silver in the European Open sea races last year, is the back-marker on 10 minutes 10 seconds in the men's race. The defending champion is Brian O'Dwyer of the Guinness club.
RUGBY: Ulster blew away some pre-season cobwebs with a competent, 29-7 victory over English Division One side Bedford at Ravenhill last night. Alan Solomons' side, without six players who had spent the week training with the Ireland squad in Limerick, took control in the first half thanks to tries from Bryn Cunningham and James Topping.
SAILING: With just two races remaining in the Rolex Commodores' Cup at Cowes, the France Red Team are on the verge of victory following two inshore races yesterday. Ireland Team Orange have showed promise during the series, but the best Colm Barrington's Gloves Off and adopted team-mates Mandrake and Carphone Warehouse can aim for now is a jump from joint fifth to third.
