ATHLETICS: Changing weather conditions in Chicago look set to threaten what promised to be a near-certain world marathon record attempt by Paula Radcliffe and Catherine Ndereba.
Rarely will a road race have been more eagerly awaited than when Radcliffe, winner of April's London Marathon, tackles the only woman who has run 26 miles 382 yards faster than her on Sunday.
Last year - only a week after the two hours 20 minutes barrier had been shattered for the first time when Naoko Takahashi ran 2:19:46 - Ndebera sliced a massive 59 seconds off the Japanese runner's mark.
Radcliffe missed the 29-year-old Kenyan's best time by just nine seconds in London, when she crossed the finishing line in 2:18:56.
CYCLING: Although one of the strongest riders on the final lap of the race, a dangerous move by Mark Scanlon in the closing stages of the under-23 road race at the world championships in Zolder proved unsuccessful yesterday, paving the way for a large bunch sprint. The 1998 junior champion attacked with ten kilometres remaining, dragging a group clear, but despite his the refusal of others to contribute to the promising attack paved the way for the 84 man gallop, won by the Italian Francesco Chicchi.
Not a specialist sprinter, Scanlon nevertheless looked set to land a top-ten placing but a pileup caused by Dutch rider Hans Dekkers almost brought down the Sligoman, causing him to stall and lose his chance. He instead finished 20th.
SNOOKER: In the space of 24 hours Chris Small has scored the two greatest wins of his career to reach the semi-finals of the LG Cup at Preston's Guild Hall.
The 29-year-old Scot trumped his victory over world number four John Higgins by beating world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-1.
