Athletics: Vili rubbishes switch to Britain

Valerie Vili is sticking with New Zealand, saying she was misquoted by an English magazine which claimed she is considering a switch of allegiance to Great Britain because of funding issues.

The Olympic shot-put champion has no intention of competing for any other nation.

"Athletes definitely want more funding because it would help them, you know, get to where they need to go," Vili said.

"But I'm very proud of what country I compete for and wouldn't change it for the world."

Vili says she does have the option because her father was born in Britain, but she loves winning for New Zealand.

British magazine Inside the Games reopened talk of Vili defecting to Great Britain for the 2012 Games in London.

Following her Halberg supreme award win in February, Vili made a plea for leading athletes to receive more Government funding.

She revealed at the time that only loyalty kept her from changing allegiances to Britain, where her father was born, or her husband's native France.

Today, the magazine reported that Vili had already turned down approaches from rival countries but did not rule out a switch in the future.

"We won three golds in 2008, but the funding still isn't that flash," Vili said, referring to New Zealand's performance at last year's Beijing Olympics.

"If I lived elsewhere and competed for another country things might be different, but I love the country and love competing for New Zealand. However, I have to look to the future and live my own life.

"My father's English, so I have a connection with another country and have options. I have had offers, but have turned them down."

- NZ HERALD STAFF, NEWSTALK ZB