LONG before yesterday’s qualification rounds of the women’s hammer in Beijing, there were doubts about Eileen O’Keeffe’s wellbeing, even about her participation.

The United States dominated the final day of the athletics World Championships with three more victories matching the team’s haul of 14 gold medals two years ago in Helsinki.

DAVID GILLICK battled his way through to today’s semi-finals of the men’s 400m but there was heartbreak for Derval O’Rourke when she failed in her attempt to get a place in the final of the women’s 100m hurdles at the World Championships in Osaka.

David Gillick produced a solid display when finishing third to qualify in his 400 metres heat at the World Championships in Osaka this morning.

DERVAL O’ROURKE has a time and a position for the world championships in Osaka written in her wardrobe since last year and, despite whatever setbacks she might have had in the meantime, it is still the target.

ASAFA POWELL pocketed a $10,000 diamond after producing another sparkling 100m run — this time in the DN Galan meet at Stockholm’s Olympic Stadium last night.

THE legendary Michael Johnson telephoned the organisers of the BUPA Cork City Sports during the week in a bid to get one of his proteges, Darold Williamson, into their July 1 showpiece at The Mardyke.

JEREMY WARINER of the United States won the men’s 400 metres title at the world athletics championships in Helsinki last night.

BRITAIN’S Kelly Holmes ended years of frustration at major championships last night when she won the women’s 800 metres Olympic title.