Olympics: A senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official yesterday rejected claims of nepotism, following IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch's decision to nominate his son as an IOC member.
Over 70 people applied for IOC membership but the 41year-old Juan Antonio Samaranch jnr was one of only seven who were put forward in Lausanne, Switzerland yesterday for election at the IOC session in Moscow in July - the same meeting that Samaranch snr steps down after 21 years at the top of the organisation.
"In the old club days this sort of election was done by `I think it is time for me to resign and have my son or daughter take my place' acclaim, acclaim," said IOC director general Francois Carrard.
"The procedure today was completely transparant. He is a regular candidate like all the others. We have nothing to fear," added Carrard.
But several IOC members said they were stunned by the decision by the IOC executive board to put forward Samaranch jnr. "Are they mad?" queried one member. "What sort of message does this give?" Another said: "I simply don't believe it."
Carrard insisted that Samaranch jnr was nominated on sporting grounds. "He is very active in international sport. He is vice-president of the International Federation of Modern Pentathlon," he added.
Olympics: Athletes taking asthma medication will have to prove they really need it before being allowed to compete in future Olympics, it was announced in Lausanne yesterday.
"Athletes will have to provide clinical and laboratory proof of their ailment," said International Olympic Committee medical director Patrick Schamasch. "Starting in Salt Lake City, a group of experts will examine the information on a case-by-case basis," he added.
The IOC Medical Commission has long suspected athletes of claiming to be asthmatic to get round the IOC's tough anti-doping rules.
Tennis: Irish tennis suffered its greatest setback in years on the slow clay courts of Antalya, Turkey yesterday when a team of teenage Georgians denied the Irish women's team any chance of promotion in the Fed Cup qualifiers.
In the 3-0 whitewash, 15-year-old, Salome Devidze, dismantled Yvonne Doyle's game for a 6-3, 6-3 victory. Kelly Liggan's fate was sealed soon after when beaten 6-3, 6-1 by Margilita Chakhnashvili. Gina Niland and Karen Nugent lost the doubles 7-5, 6-4.
Basketball: Defeat to Italy was worse than expected for the Irish senior women in their second European Championships qualifying group match at the University Arena in Limerick last night. The Irish were outplayed 97-49.
Ireland must win their final two games against Belgium and Portugal at the weekend to have any chance of qualification.
Hockey: A Month after winning their first Irish Junior Cup, Enniscorthy will attempt to make it a double by triumphing at the Irish Junior League Finals in Kilkenny this weekend.
Meanwhile, Irish club champions, Pegasus have arranged a practice match against Ireland for May 26th in Belfast as part of their preparations for the European Club Championships next month.
JUNIOR LEAGUE FINALS (at Scanlon Park, Kilkenny): Tomorrow - Enniscorthy v Kinvara, 11.0; Limavady v Waterford, 12.30; Enniscorthy v Three Rock Ladies, 2.0; Waterford v Kinvara, 3.30; Three Rock Ladies v Limavady, 5.0. Sunday - Three Rock Ladies v Waterford, 9.30; Kinvara v Limavady, 11.0; Enniscorthy v Waterford, 12.30; Three Rock Ladies v Kinvara, 2.0; Enniscorthy v Limavady, 3.30.
Boxing: Charlie Nash of St Joseph's Derry will be trying to carry on a proud family tradition by gaining further boxing glory for the famed Derry clan during tonight's finals of the National junior championships at the National Stadium. Teenager Nash is a nephew of former Irish and professional champion Charlie.
PROGRAMME: Light Fly - Paul Hyland (Golden Cobra) v M McGee (Dunfanaghy). Fly - T Lee (Oughterard ) v C Nash (St Joseph's Derry). Bantam - Pat Hyland (Golden Cobra) v M McKeown (St Pat's Newry). Feather - S Ormond (Quarryvale) v P Roche (Avona). Light - R Sheahan (St Michael's Athy) v A Magee (Dunafanaghy). Light Welter - A Foley (St Michael's Athy) v C McAuley (Dunngloe). Welter - D Bergin (Loughglynn Roscommon) v D Barrett (Olympic Galway). Light Middle - A O'Malley (Eagle, Westport) v A Lee (St Francis Limerick). Middle - D Fitzpatrick (West Finglas) v M Sweeney (Monivea). Light Heavy - R O'Neill (Paulstown) v S Campbell (Bishop Kelly Omagh). Heavy - A Hanley (Loughglynn) v S Curran (Eniskillen). Super Heavy - CJ O'Donnell (Rosmuc) WO.
