Olympic officials were flogging a dead horse

By CHRIS RATTUE

Olympic officials went searching for a dead horse and a de-selected hockey player as the New Zealand team gathered in Sydney.

The dearly departed horse in question was Blythe Tait's late mount Chesterfield, which helped New Zealand to take the team bronze medal at Atlanta four years ago.

"They thought we had entered Chesterfield," chef de mission Les Mills said at yesterday's briefing. "We figured getting a dead horse into Sydney might be tricky. Chesterfield mightn't be in too good a shape to come over."

Drug testing officials, who have called in to test New Zealand competitors every day, came looking for a hockey player who was on the team list, but who had failed to get selected.

Apart from those and a few other glitches, Mills said everything was running smoothly for the Olympic team.

Track and field athletes, wrestlers, basketballers and road cyclists are among those yet to join the New Zealand team.

Many of the New Zealand athletes will spend time outside the village preparing for their events in what Mills described as the most lenient accommodation policy among any team at these Games.

Triathletes, road cyclists, sailors and rowers are among those who will come and go.

Discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina will spend time on the Gold Coast living with her mother and other family. Mills said Polynesian athletes felt more at home when surrounded by family.

Only triathlete Ben Bright has opted not to stay at least one night in the village before competing, meaning he is still denied a bed.

"This is the most flexible arrangement we have ever had with a Games team," Mills said. "It is probably the most flexible any Games team in this village has got as far as coming and going is concerned.

"As long as they can get the service we want to give them and are safe and well fed.

"The policy came because there have been situations in the past, such as Atlanta, where some athletes would have been better out of the village for periods of time.

"If an athlete doesn't come in and secure a bed there won't be one for them later on.

"Ben Bright is the only one who has chosen not to, but I'm rather hoping that he will change his mind."

Mills would not reveal a specific medal target, but wants New Zealand to perform to a level similar to past Olympic efforts.

"We get asked that all the time, but it has been our policy to say, and it's my belief this is what the Olympics are about, that it is about excellence and fair play, the Olympic ideals and being the very best you can be.

"That doesn't change if you are a potential gold medallist or if you are in the basketball team trying to pull down rebounds and shut out the Dream Team.

"I've had a careful look at results and seen we traditionally finish 24th to 30th in the medal rankings.

"I would like to think this team will finish in the top 30 out of 200 which would be a mighty achievement for a small country.

"There are more events this time, but there are more countries and they are more professional.

"It is no harder or easier task to achieve than in the past."