A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Death of British Olympian Holmes
ROWING: Former Olympic champion Andy Holmes, who won gold medals with Steve Redgrave at the 1984 and 1988 Games, died aged 51 on Sunday, British Rowing announced yesterday.
Holmes was taken ill last week with a suspected case of the rare bacterial disease leptospirosis, also called Weil’s disease.
British Rowing said it was announcing his “tragic and untimely death with great sorrow”.
Leptospirosis can be caught from river or lake water which contains the urine of infected animals.
Sri Lankan boxer tests positive for nandrolone
BOXING: Sri Lankan bantamweight boxer Manju Wanniarachchi has tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone and is set to lose his nation’s first Commonwealth Games gold medal in seven decades.
Wanniarachchi beat Welshman Sean McGoldrick on points to end Sri Lanka’s 72-year wait for a games gold, but the celebrations appear to be short-lived after the fighter returned a positive drugs test.
Sri Lanka national Olympic committee president Hemasiri Fernando said yesterday a letter from the Commonwealth Games anti-doping committee said Wanniarachchi’s A sample had a large amount of nandrolone.
Fernando added: “We have been made to understand that Wanniarachchi is an innocent victim of this sad state of affairs. He was injected with this drug six months ago having obtained it from a medical practitioner.
“If that is the case, we will try to mitigate with the World Anti-Doping Agency for a lenient punishment.”
Steelers steal one at the end
AMERICAN FOOTBALL: A controversial call set up a Pittsburgh Steelers 23-22 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. A referee’s ruling led to a winning Steelers field goal that will surely be this week’s hot topic.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns, but it was the touchdown officials ruled he did not score that created the biggest buzz.
With Miami (3-3) up 22-20 and a little over two minutes to play, Dolphins supporters were ready to celebrate their team’s first home win of the season when Roethlisberger fumbled the ball as he dove into the end zone.
After a lengthy review, the home crowd cheered when it was confirmed Roethlisberger had indeed lost possession.
But the stadium was plunged into despair seconds later when officials added they were unable to determine who had recovered the ball, giving it back to the Steelers (5-1) for Jeff Reed to boot the winning field goal.
Mieres signs for Exeter
RUGBY: Exeter have completed the signing of Argentinian international outhalf Ignacio Mieres. The 23-year-old, who has played in France with Perpignan and Stade Français, could feature in tonight’s Premiership A League fixture against London Irish.
“His all-round game is pretty good,” said Exeter head coach Rob Baxter. “I think he played about 10 games last season for Stade Francais, so he’s got a bit of pedigree.”
McClennan leaves Leeds Rhinos
RUGBY LEAGUE: Brian McClennan yesterday resigned as head coach of Leeds Rhinos. The 48-year-old New Zealander will be replaced at Headingley by Brian McDermott.
McClennan, who only signed a new one-year contract in May, arrived at Headingley in 2008 and guided Leeds to back-to-back Super League titles.
He took them to the final of the Challenge Cup where they lost to Warrington, and to within 80 minutes of another Grand Final appearance.
His departure follows the announcement earlier in the year that his assistants, Francis Cummins and Willie Poching, would be leaving their roles to be replaced by Harlequins coach McDermott, who would then succeed McClennan at the end of the 2011 season.
But McClennan has decided to call a premature end to his stay in Yorkshire.
“I think the time is right to hand over the reins now rather than later,” McClennan said.
“I just feel if I continued it would be for selfish reasons only. Brian is ready now and will do a great job.
“I would also like to acknowledge and thank all the wonderful players and staff who have been terrific these past three years. The fans have been great too.”
