Swimming: Government shuns cash bid by Loader

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand's greatest swimmer was denied Government funding just two weeks before the $5.6 million handout to Team New Zealand.

Danyon Loader, a two-time Olympic gold medallist in 1996 and silver medallist in 1992, will become the first New Zealander to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Florida.

He also won bronze for 200m freestyle, bronze in 400m freestyle and silver in 200m butterfly at the World Championships in 1994 and was twice named Halberg Sportsman of the Year.

On his behalf, Swimming New Zealand wrote to Sports Minister Trevor Mallard asking for assistance to ensure Loader will be at the Hall of Fame ceremony in May.

"We received a reply from Mr Mallard two weeks ago in which he said there were insufficient discretionary funds available to assist," said Swimming NZ chief executive Catriona McBean yesterday.

"Obviously, we will do all we can to get Danyon there.

"We would also like to send his coach, Duncan Laing.

"It all comes down to funding. It will be a balancing act but I'm sure we will work things out."

Of the decision to give money to Team New Zealand, McBean said: "I can understand the rationale in investing money for a gain but it is a bit hard to accept when there are other sports out there on the world stage doing this kind of work unpaid.

"But I suppose we can take a positive from it [the decision]. We will now be looking to see which sport the Government is next going to pay the salaries for."

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan said he would be concerned if funding to his and other sports from the Sport and Recreation Council (Sparc) was cut because of the Team New Zealand decision.

"We will be interested to see what level of support we get from the tourism budget if we get to host Fifa's 2005 world under-20 championship," he said.

"Should we see this decision as a precedent for Government support for international events which will be shown on television to millions worldwide?"

Softball NZ chief executive Hadyn Smith said he "had no axe to grind" over the America's Cup grant.

"There is no point to be gained in going on about it. We are very satisfied with what we get."

Hockey Federation chief executive Ramesh Patel said he had not given the matter a lot of thought.

"If sports can get funding, so be it. Good luck to them."

The Government says financing Team New Zealand, a private company, will benefit trade and tourism rather than draw funds from other sport.