Rumours abound that Jana Rawlinson will be flying the flag for Britain.
An Australian hurdler has come under fire after reportedly negotiating with British Officials about the possibility of running for Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
Jana Rawlinson is reported to have held talks with the head of the London Olympics, Lord Sebastian Coe about switching to Britain for financial reasons. Something that Rawlinson is so far denying.
Rawlinson is Australian by birth and is the defending 400m hurdle Commonwealth champion. She was quoted complaining recently about the lack of support by the Australian Athletics compared to that given to British athletes. “I do look at what British Athletics does for their athletes and they are much better supported.” She also commented on how the Australian Athletics don’t “care” about her potential to be an Olympic champion.
Jana is married to British hurdler Chris Rawlinson and has made enquiries about obtaining a British passport, this her manager says, is so she can travel around Europe with ease. She has also recently been living in Britain. As she last competed for Australia in 2007 she is eligible to compete for the UK, but her manager and Jana herself refuse the claims.
The AA manager Eric Hollingsworth said: “Jana is quite distressed by the media approach to the rumours but after a long chat with her overnight we’re here to state that Jana is Australian, she’s got an Australian passport and she will remain an Australian.”
However the Herald Sun have reportedly heard from an AA source as saying that Jana has received more than $500,000 in financial support over the past 10 years and that AA staff are furious about her mooted plans.
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