Nick Sweeney yesterday conceded defeat in his attempt to prove his fitness for the discus which starts tomorrow, writes Peter Byrne. After agonising for the last three weeks on whether to take part in the championships, Sweeney yesterday informed the Irish team manager, Nick Davis, that his current state of fitness did not justify his participation.

It followed a series of practise throws in Dublin on Monday when he found that his suspect left knee was not strong enough to take the pressure. He had set himself the target of throwing 65 metres in practice but in his current condition, that proved impossible. He is now likely to undergo surgery in the autumn.