It seems a bit of a grey area - my impression from interviews about it is it is fairly common and almost expected in the cycling profession. Doesn't make it right, obviously, but from the way he was veering about he might have crashed a bit further round anyway. His mistake was admitting it was on purpose, and even then it may have been a misunderstanding as his English wasn't perfect - when the BBC reporter said "so you were trying to pull a fast one?" he said "yes" but then went on to talk about how he wanted a fast time.

The whole thing about 'nationality' is a mess for many sports.

Generally for me your nationailty and the country you represent should be defined as the country in which you were born - end of, not your mothers or fathers nationaility, or which country you were brought up in (although I concede at a push this could ok).

For sports with not so many national teams eg ours, then this latter point gives a little bit more flexibility, but Rangi a Brit? No.

Being born somewhere means absolutely nothing. The time spent in the hospital you're born in is just a day or two in your whole life. You may leave that place a week later and never go back.

Mo Farah was born in Mogadishu in Somalia but that was the whole time he ever spent there. He spent eight years in Djibouti and then the rest of his life in London. He probably feels about as Somalian as me or you.

Bradley Wiggins was born in Belgium and lived there for two years. He's not Belgian, at all.

what makes me chuckle is when certain players and there is a few to use as an e.g..like pat richards -irish,really henry paul played league for new zealand and union for england same with shontane happy(or however you spell is name)cudicini in footy being touted as goaly for england and that great englishman rangi chase..no doubt theres more but we`d be here all night

Told you all before

When you first sign your papers as an athlete/rugby player/footballer etc, there should be a box you tick as a chosen nationality.....AND IT NEVER CHANGES

I've enjoyed it been very good even the wife is taking abit of notice of it,little lad can't wait for Mr Bolt to his business.

How is blowing Pea-shooter an Olyimpic sport for gods sake ????
What next Marbles,jacks,Conkers??

I've just read this whole thread and am laughing again at the good old rugby league chip on their shoulder attitude of a few. Moans about "England's wendyballers" in a thread about the Olympics?

Anyway, I'm off to the football quarter final today at Old Trafford and absolutely cannot wait for the athletics next Friday. If you like sport and can't enjoy the Olympics without whinging about something you really are one bad misery.

The rest of British sport needs to follow the example of the cycling team; they promise and then deliver.

I have a bit of a crush on Victoria Pendleton as well, what a woman!

Natt Cook, Aus beach volley ball player " the sport is easy to understand - keep sand out of pants"

my daughters birthday?

You're right, of course, and we should know our place. Still, been intriguing to hear long-term wendyball commentator Alan Green on Radio 5 effectively throw off his media shackles and admit how refreshing it is to interview [ireal [/isportsmen and women, full in the joy of their hard-won triumphs, at the Olympics, compared to the deluded saddos who constitute the soccer playing profession.