Australia planning record team for Beijing Games

SYDNEY, May 20: Australia is planning to send a record team of almost 500 athletes to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) announced today.

AOC President John Coates said early estimates indicated Australia would have a team numbering 496 athletes for Beijing, eclipsing the previous record of 482 for an ''away'' Games set in Athens in 2004.

Australia was represented by 632 athletes when the 2000 Games were held in Sydney.

''It all hinges on the number of athletes who reach the Olympic qualifying standard, but at this point we look like we will be bigger than Athens,'' Coates told the AOC annual general meeting.

''If an athlete qualifies they will be selected for Beijing and be marching into the main stadium on August 8 2008.'' Coates said the introduction of open water swimming events would create an extra four places on the team, with Australia expected to have two men and two women contesting the 10 kilometre event.

He also said Australia could have nine synchronised swimmers in Beijing after just two went to Athens and that the wrestling team could be increased from one to seven.

REUTERS