Rowing: In a move with an eye very much on the future, the executive committee of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union have appointed Sebastian Peeters as convenor for senior and lightweight men.
The 28-year-old Portora man, who has won respect for his work with junior and development squads over the last six seasons, replaces Dermot Henihan. "They are huge shoes to step into," said Peeters, praising the work done by his predecessor, whom he describes as a "good friend".
While Peeters said he was not expecting to move into a position of such responsibility so soon, he has very strong ideas about the need to develop a working squad system, creating structures to bring the talent from junior level through by using regattas like the Home Internationals.
This, he says, will help overcome what he describes as the "cock-ups" which left Ireland without suitable squad members to slot into boats for big regattas after injuries and other circumstances ruled out the original members.
Peeters, who rowed with Portora and UCC, says the priority now will be qualifying boats for next year's Olympics. He promises an open, no-nonsense management style: The man in charge of the Olympic boats for the year ahead will be Mick O'Callaghan of Lee Valley, who continues as chairman of the International Rowing Committee, a role he took over from Henihan on a temporary basis last month. Henihan continues to be a member of the executive and is chairman of the Domestic Events committee.
The IARU is seeking a director of coaching to replace Thor Nilsen, whose contract is up at the end of this year.
Olympics Games: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch arrives in Washington today to face US Congressional investigators armed with the movement's much heralded reform package.
The decision taken over the weekend by the IOC general assembly to pass 50 reforms including a ban on all visits to bidding Olympic cities and an end to jobs for life, has given Samaranch the vital ammunition he needs to face the Congress.
The 79-year-old former Spanish diplomat knows he is likely to face a hostile reception from some of the members on the House Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation when he goes before them tomorrow.
Motor Sport: Toyota said yesterday that it hoped to enter Formula One racing as a full team in 2001, rather than 2003 as initially planned, following rival Honda into the premier motor sport.
"We wish to do it in 2001 if it becomes possible in the course of our various preparations," said Toyota's senior managing director for motor sport, Akihiko Saito.
"It will be alright if we join in the middle of the season," he said. "The sooner the better."
Honda, which quit F1 racing in 1992 after eight successful years as an engine supplier, plans to come back next year with an engine for former world champion Jacques Villeneuve's British American Racing outfit.
