Turkish athlete Nevin Yanit has been handed a two-year ban for doping, increasing the chances that Derval O’Rourke will receive a medal from March’s European Indoor Athletics Championships.

Turkish athletics’ highest official claims Nevin Yanit’s positive dope test may have come from an

Derval O’Rourke’s coach Terri Cahill is shocked at the news that European Indoor 60m hurdles champion Nevin Yanit of Turkey has been charged for failing multiple drug tests which could see the Cork woman boosted to the bronze medal as a result.

Turkish athletes Nevin Yanit and Asli Cakir Alptekin have both been charged with doping by the IAAF, and are in jeopardy of losing recently won medals.

A remarkable opening day for Ireland at the European Indoor Athletics Championships was narrowly denied a golden finish when Derval O’Rourke was edged out into fourth in the final of the women’s 60 metres hurdles.

A hugely positive opening morning session for Irish athletes at the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg has seen Brian Gregan and Ciarán Ó Lionaird win their heats, with Derval O’Rourke progressing through also to tonight’s sprint hurdles semi-finals.

Derval O’Rourke begins her London 2012 campaign at the Olympic Stadium this morning when she competes in the first round of the 100m hurdles.

SEÁN CAHILL travels to Brussels this weekend to prepare Derval O’Rourke for her third race since finishing second in the 100m hurdles final at the European championships in Barcelona.

EXPECT to see Derval O’Rourke running a lot more 100m races between now and London 2012 as her coach, Sean Cahill, attempts to improve her overall performance over the 100m hurdles.

BACK in 1992 Derval O’Rourke watched Gail Devers suffer a crashing fall after clearing the final hurdle when looking certain to claim the Olympic gold medal.