News for Sept 17

Hill to stay an Aussie

Australia's national sprint champion, Darryn Hill, has been persuaded to stay with the Australian team for next month's world track titles, according to a report in "The Australian" newspaper by Rupert Guinesss.

Hill had considered applying for New Zealand citizenship in order to compete at the world's after falling out with Cycling Australia officials. He was reportedly unhappy with the structure of Australian Team management, personal coaching and financial support.

"The main issue was to ensure that he has a suitable environment to become competitive in," CA chief executive Graham Fredericks said.

However, an agreement was reached and Hill will now join the team in their base in Buttgen, Germany on October 5.

Hill is currently training with the British team in Manchester, but when asked about the situation was still unhappy: "Not really. I just did what I thought was best for me...for this year," he is quoted as saying.

By not attaining his New Zealand citizenship now, through his Kiwi wife, he'll be unlikely to be eligible to ride for NZ in time for next year's Olympics.

He is still Australia's top-ranked sprinter, and will form a key part of the Australian Olympic sprint team, which is a strong gold-medal prospect. With Hill, Australia has collected gold, bronze and silver in this event in the past three years.

Hill believes that this should strengthen his case for CA to comply with his demands: "I've been world champion and for the past seven years I have never been out of the top eight in the world. Other teams like the Brits are happy to have me train with them. I can't see what the problem with Australia is."

His agreement with CA was a compromise, with Hill not being allowed his personal coach but having the assistance of national track coach Gary Sutton in the team. He will not be dealing with either Charlie Walsh or Gary West - two figures with which Hill has been in dispute with.

While Hill left the Australian Institute of Sport track program last year, he will also be eligible for negotiated funding from CA to assist his costs.