Other sports news in brief

Inquiry sought over Semenya

ATHLETICS:Athletics South Africa (ASA), the country's national track and field body, is asking for an inquiry into its own conduct in the testing of Caster Semenya, the female runner whose gender is being questioned. Beeld, a Johannesburg-based newspaper, yesterday said ASA had conducted its own gender tests on August 7th, citing Wilfred Daniels, who quit as team manager of ASA because of the handling of the affair.

Russian eyes stake in Nets

BASKETBALL:Russia's richest man, Mikhail Prokhorov, is preparing an offer to help the New Jersey Nets build a new arena and sources close to him say he could own a large stake in the NBA club as part of the €470 million deal.

A spokesman for Prokhorov’s Onexim investment vehicle confirmed yesterday it had been approached to participate in building the Nets’ long-awaited arena in Brooklyn and was preparing an offer. Legal disputes, financing problems and challenges from local community groups have dogged the project for years.

“As we have said before, we have received interest from potential investors in the team,” Nets chief executive Brett Yormark said in a statement. “That interest is growing as it is clear that we are moving to Brooklyn.”

Officials with the National Basketball Association were not immediately available to comment. Developer Bruce Ratner owns the Nets, with an estimated value of €200 million.

Richards turns down parade offer

RUGBY:Dean Richards has turned down an invitation to join a parade of Leicester legends before Saturday's game against Newcastle at the redeveloped Welford Road because he feels it is too soon for him to be seen in the public eye after the Harlequins Bloodgate affair, writes Paul Rees.

Richards won more votes than any other player when Leicester fans were asked to name their Tigers Legends XV by a local newspaper. He played more than 300 matches for the club before becoming director of rugby and landing four successive Premiership titles as well as successive Heineken Cup triumphs.

“I have had a letter inviting me but, because of everything that has happened over the last few weeks, I feel I should let the dust settle before being part of something like that,” said Richards.

Guardian Service

Taylor on course for a fourth European title

BOXING:Katie Taylor guaranteed herself at least a bronze medal after advancing to within two fights of winning her fourth European title in a row amid a large media spotlight in Nikalaev City in the Ukraine yesterday.

Taylor, the current World, European and EU lightweight champion and 2008 AIBA World female boxer of the year, took less than one round to stop Sweden’s Kosovare Buzuku in yesterday’s quarter-final at the Nadezhda Sports Complex.

The Bray woman was 4-0 up and en route to her 36th win in a row, and her 61st triumph in 62 international outings, when Bazuku retired with a nose injury just over one minute into the fight.

The 23-year-old Irish woman will now meet Denica Eliseeva of Bulgaria, who she beat 8-1 in the EU final in Bulgaria in June, in today’s semi-final. Since it was announced that women’s boxing would make its debut at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Taylor has been signalled out as a hot favourite to win gold.

Busy schedule on home calendar

EQUESTRIAN:This is one of the busiest weekends in the home competition calendar with international horse trials taking place at Necarne Castle, Irvinestown, while not too far away, the Cavan indoor show jumping championships are being held at Cavan Equestrian Centre.

After the first day of dressage at the Co Fermanagh three-day event, Ireland’s Jayne Doherty leads the CCI** on a score of 43.4 penalties with The Only One while Wicklow’s Louise Bloomer heads the CCI* with GFG Hollybrook Sky High on 46.1. Two British riders top the junior class, the lead being held by David Doel on 45 penalties with Imperial Dancer.

Meanwhile, Cork-born Billy Twomey yesterday won the major class on the opening day of the four-star show in Barcelona, the Vanguardia Trophy, on Montanus Coloradon with Antrims Jessica Kürten claiming the runner-up spot on Castle Forbes Cosma.