Rowing: Chinese defection unlikely to benefit NZ

By PETER JESSUP

SYDNEY - The banishment of Chinese rowers who have failed drugs testing is unlikely to open any doors for Kiwi twins Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell, who were beaten to an Olympic qualifying spot by China.

Games teams were told that anyone not listed as an entrant for the Games by August 25 could not compete, New Zealand chef de mission Les Mills said yesterday.

For the 21-year-old sisters, ranked fifth in the world, to be successful on appeal would take the backing and agreement of the IOC, the Games organising commiteee, Socog, the New Zealand team management and the management and selectors of Rowing New Zealand.

Mills was looking into the issue yesterday, not so much from the sisters' point of view - he did not say so, but obviously there would be some concern about whether they had kept training in the four weeks since they missed an Olympic start - but for the future.

"No one foresaw this issue arising. I don't think there's a chance [for the sisters] but it's worth a follow-up."

The sisters missed the final at the World Cup in Lucerne in their most recent international racing, winning the B final five seconds clear of Games qualifiers Switzerland.

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