The expectations of Ireland’s sailors have been raised by Annalise Murphy’s fourth-place finish at the 2012 Olympics but the Irish Sailing Association’s performance director has described medal hopes at Rio next month as an outside shot.

The reports and vibes emanating from Brazil have, to be kind about it, not been reassuring

Athletes competing in next year’s summer Olympics in Brazil will be swimming and boating in waters so contaminated with human faeces that they risk becoming violently ill and unable to compete in the games, an Associated Press investigation has found.

A lecturer’s paper cut sparked a brainwave which could save oil firms and the water industry a fortune by detecting and plugging pipeline leaks, it emerged today.