LONDON - As far as the Australian Olympic Committee is concerned, John Steffensen will run on the country's track team at the London Olympics.
Steffensen, who has South African heritage but was born in Australia, has threatened to boycott the games after only being given a relay spot on Australia's 4x400-meter team, claiming racism has kept him off the squad.
"As far as we know, he has entered and he is coming," Australian chef de mission Nick Green said Monday.
Steffensen, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist , was passed over for an individual spot in the 400 by Athletics Australia. That was instead given to teenager Steve Solomon, who also achieved an Olympic "B'' qualifying time.
On Saturday, Steffensen said the decision "only makes our sport look stupid."
"I've put up with being racially vilified by this federation, being discriminated against on many teams," said Steffensen, who won relay silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics and bronze at the 2009 world championships. "You know it would help if I was a different colour. No, they can have athletics. I don't need to do this anymore."
He maintained his criticism of the Athletics Australia hierarchy via Twitter on Monday.
But Green downplayed Steffensen's threat of a boycott, saying that non-sports issues always pop up before the games. But regardless, he said he expects Steffensen to be a part of the team.
"We have been disappointed with the comments Steffensen has made," Green said. "If an athlete does not want to compete in any way then we'll deal with that.
"Every athlete that comes here comes with the notion of competing and representing the country at the highest level."
Athletics Australia chief executive Dallas O'Brien has denied Steffensen's claims, and said the sport's body would not take disciplinary action.
