Sydney spring fever is a cause for concern

But the Sydney Games will be only the second– the first was Melbourne in 1956– to take place in spring.

Connie Katelaris, a Sydney hospital allergy specialist, has been studying pollen levels at Olympic sites for the past six years and found 37 per cent of the 977 Australian athletes tested last September suffered an allergy.

“Coughing and congestion can interrupt sleep while itchy eyes and sneezing can make getting through a training session or competition very uncomfortable,” she said.

Asthma and allergy treatments are allowed but Olympic athletes need to have prior approval.

Dr Katelaris, whose findings have been published in a US-based medical journal, said she had had calls from South Africa, France, North America and Britain asking for advice.

Norman upset
VALHALLA (KENTUCKY): An outspoken Greg Norman hit out here at the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) failure not to have golf as an Olympic sport.

The 45-year, who will carry the Olympic flame in Sydney shortly before the opening of the Sydney 2000 Games in September, said on Tuesday that it was a scandal that golf was not in the Olympics.

“I think it is a crying shame that it is not,” complained Norman, competing here in the USPGA championship, the final Major of the season.

“If we look at the demographics of golf on a global basis it far exceeds a lot of the demographics of a lot of other Olympic Sports on a global basis.

“For tennis to be in there and not golf, I don’t understand that. For basketball to be in there and not golf. I don’t understand that. I am not decrying the other Sports. I just think golf is not getting a fair shake of the stick,” he added.

Rail job cuts could hit Games
SYDNEY: Unions on Wednesday warned they could call unanounced strikes during the Olympics if Sydney rail chiefs go ahead and sack up to 500 station staff.

Australian Services Union spokesman George Panigris said they had already lodged notices of dispute with the Industrial Relations Commission and have the right to strike without further notice.

A spokesman for City Rail would not comment on the level of planned cuts.

“Any reviews should be done through staff review guidelines,” he added.

Thomas claims selectors lied to him
LONDON: European 400 metres champion Iwan Thomas has accused the selectors of lying to him before his omission from the British Olympic athletics team.

Thomas was left out of the team on Tuesday for next month’s Sydney games in favour of World indoor champion Jamie Baulch after opting out of last weekend’s British trials in Birmingham because of a hamstring injury. In a radio interview Thomas said he had been told he could miss the trials because a place would be left open for him until next Monday. “I won’t say the person’s name but the conversation went like this: “I will give you my word that we will not pick the third place runner until August 21′,” Thomas said. “I have been completely cheated. I feel lied to.”