By then in the midst of an acrimonious divorce, she claimed that her ex-husband had spiked her vitamins.As excuses go it seemed pretty far-fetched but last December a four-year ban imposed in 1993 was lifted by the Russian courts and Enquist was reinstated by the International Amateur Athletic Federation under the exceptional circumstance rule.On Wednesday night, Enquist established herself fully as an outstanding athlete. Her coach, Bobby Kersee, said: "Because Gail has been short of competition this season, she was floating over hurdles rather than driving over them.''Enquist had the technique off pat, the threat of her presence confirmed by a driving finish. As Ludmila Narozhilenko, she was world champion in 1991 before testing positive for steroids The scandal would have a unique twist. Unlike Linford Christie, who churlishly brushed aside interrogators after failing to qualify for the 200m semi-final, Devers stood around for 10 minutes, flashing her smile and famously long fingernails.In truth, Devers was never really in contention.

I didn't hit one.''Probably, the last time Devers shed real tears was when the disabling effect of Graves disease meant that she even had to drag herself to the bathroom So, nothing to embarrass anyone. "It wasn't meant to be.'' Having long since got life into perspective, she added, "I can't even say that I'm disappointed."''I did better than Barcelona I crawled [literally] into fifth there I was fourth here, and I finished on my feet Believe me I wanted to get over 10 hurdles I did. Devers, running stride for stride with the French contender, Patricia Girard-Leno, finished out of the medals, beaten for the bronze in a photo-finish.Nobody has ever been able to lay down a rule determining how much disappointment sports performers must take before it becomes an excuse for childish behaviour. In any case, Devers proved herself a class act, offering nothing but amiable acceptance of failure "No excuses,'' she said. Tranmere will complete the signing of the 31-year-old Italian Ivano Bonetti from Grimsby next week when the team return from a three-match tour of Ireland. Liam Brady, who is returning to Arsenal as head of the club's youth development programme, will pull out of the consortium that has been trying to take control of his old club, Brighton.