OCI extend Athens deadline

The Olympic Council of Ireland last night sensationally extended the Athens qualification deadline for Irish track and field athletes to 5pm on July 20, in the wake of Athletics Ireland's case pleaded on behalf of those close to the A standard.

With just 35 days to go to the sporting showpiece, the decision is a major backing down for the Council who have so stringently applied the findings of the Sydney 2000 review to their 2004 qualification policy.