FED: AOC denies Dawn Fraser snub

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-2004
FED: AOC denies Dawn Fraser snub

SYDNEY, Aug 7 AAP - The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) denies it snubbed four-time
Olympic gold medallist Dawn Fraser and insists she was invited to attend the Athens Games.

Ms Fraser said she had not been invited to attend the Olympic Games because of her
outspoken views on drugs in sport, The Weekend Australian reported today.

However, the AOC today produced a letter addressed to Ms Fraser and dated August 19,
2003, that invited the former olympic swimmer to the Games.

"This (invitation) was following a discussion with John Coates at a 2003 rugby league
State of Origin game at Telstra stadium, not as she now prefers to recall `at a recent
rugby union game at Telstra Stadium'," the spokesman said in a statement.

"Claims by Dawn that she has been snubbed by the AOC because she made recent comments
on drugs in sport are incorrect."

Ms Fraser was offered GT accreditation - the highest accreditation available for Olympic
Games - and the AOC was "surprised and disappointed" Dawn had rejected this privilege,
he said.

"Dawn was the only Australian Olympian offered a GT (accreditation) at these Games.

Hundreds of Australian Olympians unfortunately are not offered any form of accreditation,"

he said.

"The offer is still there for Dawn, as we would love to see her in Athens."

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KEYWORD: OLY DAWN 2ND LEAD

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