Triathlon: Drained Carter secures Olympic selection

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

Lying on a stretcher with a drip in his arm, Hamish Carter was still smiling last night having earned his place in the Sydney Olympics after a harrowing world triathlon champi-onships.

Carter finished fifth in the Perth race last night - collapsing on the finish line suffering from cramp, heat stroke and dehydration.

Yet he was a happy man. The world No 1 had met triathlon New Zealand's criteria to finish in the top 15 of the world championships to win one of New Zealand's Olympic spots.

Carter was first out of the water on the opening swim leg, but nearly crashed on the bike on roads slick with rain. He fought back to the front group, but cramped up badly on the run.

Another New Zealand entry, Jamie Hunt, finished eleventh.

However, New Zealand might have no women in the triathlon on the opening day of the 2000 Olympics if the selectors stick to their word.

Last night New Zealand hopes Evelyn Williamson and Jenny Rose failed to finish in the top 15.

In the meantime, New Zealand's top finisher last night, 11th-placed Rina Hill, is not allowed to go to the Olympics.

Australian Hill, who has a Kiwi-born husband, has been turned down for New Zealand citizenship.

Triathlon New Zealand are appealing the decision on Hill's behalf, fighting for the world No 5 to become a Kiwi.

So it may be that when the New Zealand team is named, probably today, there are no women on the list - even though New Zealand has earned two spots on the startline on day one, by dint of strong performances by Rose and Williamson in earlier races.

New Zealand coach Graeme Park said last night that he was "very disappointed" with the performance of the Kiwi women.

Williamson, a former world bronze medallist, was 33rd and former world long-distance champion Rose finished 40th.

Australian Nicole Hackett led from the Swan River swim to the final run up Kings Park Hill.

Outstanding Canadian distance runner Carol Montgomery, gunning to compete in the 10km at the Olympics as well as triathlon, surged through the field on the final leg to finish a close second.

"I felt we might have done better - the conditions really suited us," Park said. "They were all close to the pace in the bike leg and you would think a pack of 40 or 50 could chase down three."

Park said he could not comment on Olympic selections last night, but would discuss the dilemma with other selectors this morning.