There was concern about the health of Juan Samaranch last night after the former president of the International Olympic Committee was admitted to hospital in Lausanne suffering from breathing difficulties.
The Spaniard collapsed on Tuesday, on his 81st birthday, after returning to Switzrland from the IOC's 112th session in Moscow where he stood down as president after 21 years. He had been replaced by Jacques Rogge
"He flew back with us last night and he was in excellent condition and in good spirits," said the IOC's director-general Francois Carrard yesterday.
"He then gave interviews until midnight last night. We were all exhausted after the session but he went on and on. At the end of an hour's talk show on Spanish radio he had some breathing difficulties and was taken to hospital.
"I think his condition is already much better today but doctors have advised him to stay in a few more days." A ceremony tomorrow in which Samaranch was due to hand over the keys of the headquarters to Rogge will be scaled down in his absence.
Meanwhile, defeated IOC presidential candidate Kim Un-yong said yesterday that smear tactics may have cost him victory and stopped only just short of blaming Samaranch.
In a statement, Kim expressed his "disappointment, and frankly a degree of bitterness over some of the last-minute smearing tactics".
Hockey: Although the skill of Spain and the Netherlands was out of Ireland's reach in the under-18 competition in the European Youth Cup tournament in San Sebastian, the under-16s came home with silver medals.
While they went under 3-1 to the eventual winners Holland in their opening assignment, the Irish juniors played beat Spain 4-3. They comfortably defeated France (5-0), Italy (4-1) and the Czech Republic (5-3). Gareth Watkins of Monkstown and St Andrew's scored in every match.
Meanwhile the programme has been announced for the Junior World Cup in Hobart (Tasmania) in the autumn. Ireland's under-21s face a torrid first match on October 9th against Australia followed the next day by a clash with England. The less demanding game Pool A game against Chile is on October 12th.
EUROPEAN YOUTH CUP: (San Sebastian) - Under-16: 1, Netherlands 15 pts; 2, Ireland 12 pts; 3, Spain 9 pts; 4, Czech Republic 4 pts; 5, France 2 pts; 6, Italy 1 pt. Under-18: 1, Spain 13 pts; 2, Netherlands 13 pts; 3, Czech Republic 7 pts; 4, France 6 pts; 5, Ireland 4 pts; 6, Italy 0.
Sailing: For the second day running, severe weather conditions forced the cancellation of the Bord Gais 470 European Championships at Dun Laoghaire yesterday. Organisers at the Royal St George YC are hoping that conditions will allow the final day of racing to go ahead today..
Rugby: Leading rugby league officials have dismissed a report that several leading clubs are considering switching to rugby union in England.
Leicester chief executive Peter Wheeler had claimed that unification talks were under way with top Super League clubs. But Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington insisted the two codes can live side by side. And spokesmen for Bradford, Wigan and St Helens all denied any knowledge of talks.
