Sonia impresses at pre-games event

Sonia O'Sullivan performed impressively in Brisbane

Sonia O'Sullivan continued her Olympic preparations by winning the 1500m and finishing third over 800m at a pre-games meeting in Brisbane.

The Cobh runner clocked 4.09.97 to win the metric mile at the Runaway Bay meeting.

Earlier, the Irishwoman finished third over 800m in a time of 2.04.

The Irishwoman's performances indicates that her Olympic preparations are going well.

Wind-assisted

At the same meeting, Britain's Jason Gardiner ran a wind-assisted 10.04 to win the 100m.

Despite the following wind of 3.1 metres per second, the performance indicates that the Briton is getting back to near his best after two months affected by injury.

At a different meeting in Newcastle near Sydney, Ballymena & Antrim sprinter John McAdorey clocked an impressive 10.28 which would have registered as a personal best but for an illegal wind reading of four metres per seconds.

Donal McCarthy was second in the race in 10.44.

Relay squad

Both McAdorey and McCarthy will compete for the Irish 4x100m relay squad at the Games. Also in Newcastle, Belfastman Paul McKee ran 46.74 for third place in the 400m. Another member of Ireland's 4x400m squad Rob Daly took fourth in 46.78.

McKee is not quite as his best following a throat infection but he has two weeks to get himself right for the 4x400m.

It has been confirmed meawhile, that Ballymena & Antrim's Paul Brizzel will run the 100m in addition to the 200m. The 100m starts on September 22.

Slightly faster

Tomas Coman will run the individual 400m as he is slightly faster on the clock than McKee.

The fitness of Irish high-jumper Brendan Reilly is a cause of concern to the Irish management. Reilly has a neck injury but should be fit for his event in two weeks.