British rowers receive 'preferential treatment'

Australia is leading the way against what they consider to be preferential treatment for British rowers accessing the Olympic venue at the London Games.

The British team is expected to slash the travel time in half for their rowers.

Australia, Germany, American and Dutch officials have met to protest the situation to governing body FISA.

British rowers won't stay in the athletes' village and will travel to the rowing venue on a specially-chartered boat on the River Thames.

They will access the venue through a temporary "back-door" dock, which officials anticipate will cut travel time to 30 minutes.

Foreign rowers are expected to spend an hour on motorways.

New Zealand Chef de Mission Dave Currie says they got a bit grumpy about it, and they've got it changed.

"We thought that was unfair and we raised that, organisers acknowledged it and they are now going through the same entrance as everybody else. They are still coming down the river but they've now got to come right round the front like the rest of us do."

Currie says they can accept some small advantages for the host nation, but this was a bit sneaky.

Photo: Kiwi rowers Eric Murray and Hamish Bond (Photosport)