Today's other stories in brief
Members of OCI body announced
OLYMPIC GAMES:The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) has announced the members of its Athletes Commission for the period up to and including the 2012 Olympics in London, writes Ian O'Riordan. The commission will comprise of five Olympic athletes who have competed at either of the most recent summer and winter Olympic Games for Ireland, and will be chaired by Waterford's 50km road walker Jamie Costin.
The other members of the commisssion will be Ciara Peelo (sailing), Derek Burnett (clay pigeon shooting), Rory Morrish (snow sports) and Richard Archibald (rowing). The Athletes Commission, an International Olympic Committee initiative, is a consultative body designed to ensure that athlete’s views on Olympic matters are represented on national Olympic committees. Costin will now become an ex-officio member of the OCI’s executive committee following his new appointment.
Two F1 teams back in the fold
MOTOR SPORT: Williams and Force India have been allowed to rejoin the Formula One Teams' Association.
The two teams were suspended from the organisation in May after signing up for the 2010 Formula One championship at a time when a breakaway series was a very real threat.
Their move angered the other eight teams – Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso and Brawn GP – resulting in their immediate suspension.
But in the wake of peace breaking out between the FIA and FOTA, and following a “productive” executive committee meeting of the latter body in Monza yesterday, Williams and Force India can now return.
Bolt may miss China, S Korea
ATHLETICS:A fatigued Usain Bolt will wait until this weekend to decide whether or not to compete in China and South Korea later this month, his agent said yesterday.
“I have informed both organisers in Shanghai and Korea (Daegu) that we will continue to analyse his performance until after the world athletics final (in Greece on Sunday), and see how he is,” Ricky Simms said.
Ireland's Balbirnie confident
CRICKET: Ireland Under-19 skipper Andrew Balbirnie believes his side can go on to take a big scalp at next year's World Cup after they qualified with two games to spare in Canada on Tuesday, writes Emmet Riordan.
Pembroke all-rounder Balbirnie made 70, while James Shannon finished unbeaten as Ireland ran up 252 for seven from their 50 overs against Hong Kong. Not for the first time in the competition, it was the spinners that did the damage as the Asian side were bowled out for 159, with Leinster left-armer George Dockrell taking six for 19, while Lee Nelson took four for 30.
“Now the aim is to move on and win the tournament and I think we can do that as we have done really well here, apart from the loss to the USA,” said Balbirnie.
Bright start for O'Sullivan
SNOOKER:Ronnie O'Sullivan made a bright start to his Shanghai Masters campaign as he eliminated Graeme Dott without dropping a frame.
The world number one finished with a break of 101 as he won 5-0 against Scotland’s Dott, who had beaten United Arab Emirates potter Mohamed Shehab in the wild-card round.
There was an encouraging victory for Wales’ Matthew Stevens – who has struggled with his game in recent seasons and, like Dott, has fallen outside the elite top 16 in the world rankings.
Former world number four Stevens proved too strong for World Championship semi-finalist Mark Allen, the Northern Irishman failing to get his game going and losing 5-2 to his more experienced opponent.
Former World champion Mark Williams, another Welshman, gained a 5-3 win against another Northern Irish player in Joe Swail in the final match of the day to finish.
Farrar takes stage win as Valverde watches rivals
CYCLING: Promising American sprinter Tyler Farrar made a long dash for the line to win the 11th stage of the Tour of Spain on Wednesday.
It was a first Grand Tour stage win for the 25-year-old Garmin-Slipstream rider who crossed the line ahead of Belgian Phillipe Gilbert and Italian Marco Marcato.
Spain’s Alejandro Valverde remained in the overall lead as the race reached its second rest day but acknowledged his seven-second advantage on Australian Cadel Evans and 36 on third-placed Dutchman Robert Gesink was no guarantee of final victory.
“We’ve got three really difficult mountain stages starting Friday and I’m worried about all of them,” Valverde told reporters.
“The race is entering its crucial phase and Ill have to watch Evans and Gesink like a hawk.”
