Maher link with Christie unclear

One of the current issues in athletics is whether Emily Maher, the talented young Irish sprinter, has teamed up with Linford Christie in his rebel training camp in Australia. Former Olympic 100 metres champion Christie was banned for testing positive for nandrolone and was subsequently denied official access to the Games.

But some loyal British athletes have stuck by him despite the knitted brows of British Olympic officials who have stated that his presence taints the other athletes.

Maher is one of Christie's students and was vocal in his defence when the initial charges were made against him. The young Kilkenny woman, who will run in the 4X400 metres event, was given permission to compete in local meets before the Games, but so far it has been difficult to establish whether or not any guidelines were issued by the Olympic Council of Ireland, regarding teaming up with Christie.