NZ tipped for five medals in Melbourne

A minimum of five medals, including two golds, are expected from the 29-strong track and field team announced today to compete at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

The team confirmed by the New Zealand Olympic Committee today is more than twice as big as the 14 sent to Manchester in 2002.

Three of the team have been selected subject to proving their ability to compete -- 1500 metre runner Adrian Blincoe and 5000m runner Kimberley Smith being subject to fitness, and 10,000m athlete Michael Aish "subject to form".

Athletics New Zealand high performance manager Eric Hollingsworth said he had high hopes for the team.

"I expect five medals," he said. "What colours? A minimum of two golds and we'll see how competition pans out."

Shotputter Valerie Vili was one of the brightest gold medal hopes as was discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina, who will seek a fourth consecutive Commonwealth medal since winning silver at Victoria in 1994.

Others Hollingsworth believed capable of wining a medal were long jumper Chantal Brunner, also at her fourth Games, high jumper Angela McKee, walker Craig Barrett, 1500m runner Nick Willis, steeplechaser Kate McIlroy, 800m runner Jason Stewart "and a couple of others, which may or may not come about".

They included decathlete Brent Newdick and javelin thrower Stuart Farquhar, ranked second in the Commonwealth after a rapid rise in the last couple of weeks.

Hollingsworth said the team was "far superior" to the contingent sent to Manchester.

"We've been very strict in terms of how we want to select the team and only athletes who have achieved the standard are going.

"The selection meeting itself was probably the shortest selection meeting in Athletics New Zealand history due to that fact.

"Not much discussion -- every athlete earned their place by right and there was no need to debate or to discuss whether someone should be in or out."

Some of the athletes not given any selection leeway were the five-man squad picked for the four by 100m relay, who would not be allowed to compete in the individual 100m, Hollingsworth said.

Earn the singlet

"They didn't achieve the qualifying standard. Again it's that cultural message that we're trying to send from athletics that you're not given the singlet, you have to earn the singlet.

"Those guys didn't do the qualifying standard. They're good enough for the relay unit, they broke a national record."

He said Jason Mortimer, one of the five selected for the relay, was a specialist hurdler who could make the world championships and Olympics in a couple of years time.

The two with fitness concerns would be given right up until the last minute to prove they were able to compete.

"We'll give them as long as they need, because someone like Kimberley is obviously a medal contender, ranked fourth in the Commonwealth."

With the Kenyan team sending only one 5000m competitor, that meant Smith was effectively ranked in the top three.

Hollingsworth said Aish would have to finish a competitive run outdoors on February 18 to prove his form. "It doesn't matter where he finishes."

He said steeplechaser McIlroy was one of the newer breed of athletes who could surprise with her performance as could 800m runner Stewart.

"He's got a fierce determination in terms of what he's trying to do and I think he may surprise as well."

- NZPA