Athlete's arson charges 'not that bad'

MELBOURNE - The New Zealand athlete allowed to travel to Melbourne's Commonwealth Games despite a court case involving charges of arson and unlawfully taking a vehicle, was relaxed about the charges, says an official in the sport.

The 20-year-old has been granted name suppression. "The case sounds a lot worse than it actually is," said the official. "It is pretty low-key actually and I have spoken to the person involved and he is relaxed, and I am relaxed about it.

"Obviously the court is happy to hear the case when he gets back."

The case is the latest involving a Games athlete after Tongan boxer Sitaleki Maka was denied entry to Australia this week, despite being freed on bail by the courts so he could attend the Games.

Immigration officials said Maka had been deemed a possible risk to the Australian community. He was freed on bail after being charged with two counts of injuring with intent, and two of common assault after a bottle attack on four teenagers last month.

Maka denies the charges but was refused entry to Australia.

However, the official from the sport involving the latest court case said he didn't think the athlete's case had been referred to Australian immigration authorities.

"I doubt it. I don't think there is any comparison between the two cases in terms of how serious they are.

"The athlete is already in Melbourne."

Meanwhile the New Zealand boxing team has closed down all media contact in Melbourne, refusing interview requests.

Boxing team officials were nervous about the team's reception in Australia after Prime Minister John Howard spoke out against the inclusion of New Zealand boxer Soulan Pownceby, who was eventually granted entry to the country.

Team manager Allan Dickey said: "We are just trying to get into the competition the best way possible and we have decided that is by having closed sessions and no media."

Pownceby's case is well known - he served four years for the 1995 manslaughter of his five-month-old daughter.

Clearly the team is hoping that no media contact will help shield the team from pressure.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY