Gary Ryan, who contributed so significantly to Irish athletics during the year just ended, has lost no time in resuming where he left off in December. Competing at an indoor meeting in Nenagh at the weekend, Ryan re-wrote his own 60 metres record when hurtling across the line in 6.92 seconds.

It augers well for the Limerick man who is gearing his programme this year to the European championships at Budapest in August.

It was confirmed yesterday that the Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute is to sponsor seven days of competition at the Nenagh indoor complex during the months of January, February and March. The announcement was welcomed by BLE president Michael McKeon.

Jonathan Edwards is to come out of retirement from international indoor athletics and try to win the triple jump at the European Championships in Spain in March. The world outdoor record-holder will compete in a series of meetings in Germany, Finland and Britain before bidding for the European title in Valencia. Edwards believes more winter competition will benefit him before this summer's major events.