Sebastian Coe once said that, theatrically, the mile is the perfect distance: “Blink and you miss a sprint, the 10,000 metres is lap after lap of waiting, but the mile is just the right length — beginning, middle, end; a story unfolding.”

Jordan Spieth is not your traditional game-changer, but what he’s doing may turn out to be the saviour of golf, writes Dr Ed Coughlan.

"I believe in good preparation and planning and if I stick to that the 25 seconds will come."

Both Munster and Ireland will have confidence soaring after success against All Black sides, writes Donal Lenihan. 

The Olympic movement, which now seems to be vying with the oily creeps of FIFA in a race for irrelevance, took a pretty substantial lead in that particular headlong rush a few days ago.

In May 1954, English runner Roger Bannister broke the seemingly impenetrable barrier of the sub-four-minute mile, a month after his rival John Landy proclaimed it to be impossible.

A neurosurgeon whose family died in a suspected arson attack said the evil deed was part of God’s plan and he was not supposed to be angry with him for allowing it to happen.

An 18-year-old man has appeared in court today charged with murdering the family of a Dublin-based doctor, after they died in a house fire.

Three women arrested as part of an investigation into a fatal house fire which killed four members of the same family of a Dublin surgeon killed have been bailed.

A neurosurgeon has spoken of his grief after his family was killed in a suspected arson attack as police continue to question five people over the fatal house fire.

A Dublin neurosurgeon has spoken of his grief after his family was killed in a suspected arson attack as police continue to question five people over the fatal house fire.

The four family members of a Dublin surgeon killed in a recent house fire had no connections to a street attack in which a man was murdered, police have confirmed today.

A family murdered in a suspected revenge attack may have been the victims of mistaken identity, a neighbour has said.

British detectives are investigating after the wife and children of a Dublin-based surgeon were killed in a house fire in England.

Tourists going to Venice beware — and make sure you read the fine print.

Now firmly settled in its new home at the CIT track in Bishopstown, the Cork City Sports International meet captured the partisan crowd’s attention last night as Robert Heffernan clocked a new national record in the 3,000m race walk.

Performance psychologist Michael Finnigan insists David Moyes will be even more hungry to succeed in his new job as Manchester United boss because he has never won a major trophy as a manager.

Bookmakers have pledged to refund all bets placed on who would light the Olympic cauldron after some of Britain’s greatest Olympians teamed up with young athletes for the honour.

A vast worldwide audience is expected to tune in to watch the opening ceremony of the London Olympics tonight.

The eyes of the world are on London today as the final countdown to the start of the 2012 Olympics begins.

The BBC has apologised to viewers after decathlon great Daley Thompson made an anti-Irish joke.

Chris Hoy is set to be named later today as the flagbearer for Team GB at Friday’s opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

Roger Bannister remembers those fabled four minutes as if they were yesterday.

Tipperary enjoyed an edge in determination yesterday, sweeping onto breaking ball with relish, and they confined Kilkenny to rare moments of freedom.

Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung has clinched a deal to become Birmingham’s biggest shareholder.

Birmingham directors David and Ralph Gold, David Sullivan, Karren Brady and Roger Bannister have sold 29.9% of the club’s shares to Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.

Former England and Liverpool winger Steve McManaman has been appointed to the board of the company buying into Barclays Premier League newcomers Birmingham.

Birmingham have confirmed that “discussions are continuing” over a possible takeover after directors agreed to sell 29.9% of the club’s shares to Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.

Birmingham directors David and Ralph Gold, David Sullivan, Karren Brady and Roger Bannister have agreed to sell 29.9% of the club’s shares to Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.

Birmingham managing director Karren Brady is to undergo surgery for an aneurysm in the brain.

BRENDAN HACKETT, a well known figure in Irish sport, has been selected as the Chief Executive of the Athletics Association of Ireland.

Lance Armstrong expects to be the target for doping allegations on the eve of the Tour de France as he aims to become the first man to win six Tours when this year’s race starts

Tennis fans were left fearing the second wash-out of the first week at Wimbledon today after the start of play was delayed due to heavy rain.

THE world’s first sub four-minute miler, Sir Roger Bannister, was in Tullamore on Saturday to witness the first sub four-minute mile ever run on the Harriers track.

Sonia O’Sullivan also produced a marvellous performance against reigning World 10,000m champion Berhane Adere in their BUPA 5,000m confrontation at today’s Balmoral Road Races..

The cream of British middle-distance talent will lock horns at Balmoral Castle next week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Roger Bannister’s first-ever sub-four-minute mile.

The 50th anniversary of the world’s first sub-four minute mile will be celebrated by Cork’s oldest athletic club, Rising Sun, who promote a Straight Mile on the Lisfihill Road, Ballinhassig, on Thursday May 6 at 8pm.

Britain’s trailblazers turned out tonight for a glittering reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate their achievements.

A 72-year-old Canadian man has become the first person over 70 to run a marathon in under three hours.

Bono of U2 and former US president Mr Bill Clinton were last night inducted into the Washington-based Academy of Achievement’s hall of fame at a Banquet of the Golden Plate in the Four Seasons Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin.