Sherlock: We must learn from mistakes

THE ‘Waterford Crystal’ doping scandal which cost Cian O’Connor his Olympic gold medal was referred to by the Hon General Secretary of the Olympic Council of Ireland, Dermot Sherlock, who told delegates at last night’s EGM that they should learn from the debacle and be better prepared in the approach to the Beijing Games.

Speaking in his Athens Report on qualifications and standards, he said he believed that the closing date for athletics should not have been extended and that athletes should concentrate on qualifying in the year prior to the Games, so they can prepare without the strain of asking to qualify up to the last minute.

“In any event it is likely that the International Olympic Committee will impose a final entry date for all sports, including athletics and swimming for the Beijing Games,” he said.