Athletics: Mary Slaney, who won both the 1,500 and 3,000 metres at the 1983 world championships, lost her protracted doping battle with the world governing body yesterday.
The International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) said in a statement that its arbitration panel had concluded that Slaney had committed a doping offence three years ago.
Slaney (40) tested positive for excessive levels of the male sex hormone testosterone at the 1996 US Olympic trials.
Tennis: Ireland stumbled, rather than cruised, against Malta in their opening Federation Cup Euro-African group two women's tennis match at the La Manga club in Murcia, Spain yesterday.
Despite the 3-0 victory, Ireland team captain Pete Lowther was relieved to have this opening match behind him. "It was a match we could have lost," he said.
Singles: Y Doyle bt L Camenjuli 0-6 7-5 6-2, G Niand bt H Asciak 6-1 6-1. Doubles: K Liggan and K Nugent bt Camenjuli and C Torreggiani 6-3 6-7 6-4.
