Olympics: Cash spur for top NZ performers

Three of New Zealand's top performers at July's Commonwealth Games in Manchester have been given the best possible incentive to take on the world at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Manchester silver medallists Valerie Adams, Liz van Welie and the men's hockey team have been awarded Athens 2004 Olympic scholarships under the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Solidarity programme.

The scholarships are designed to assist nominated athletes and teams in their preparation and qualification for the Athens games.

Shot putter Adams and swimmer van Welie - ranked seventh in the world in the 400m individual medley - will each receive $50,000, and the men's hockey team has been granted $200,000 to help their chances of qualifying for Athens.

New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary general Barry Maister said it was a fantastic opportunity.

"The three recipients are on the edge of qualification for the Athens games.

"We all saw how well they performed in Manchester during the year, and these scholarships and grants are designed to lift them through that qualification barrier and allow them to perform with distinction in Athens."