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The chances of three talented expat tri-athletes competing for Bermuda in the Commonwealth Games are all but over, after an appeal on their behalf was rejected.

Cyclist Lynn Patchett, meanwhile, remains in limbo with a decision on her involvement still pending.

There was better news, though, for female tri-athletes Karen Smith and Flora Duffy who have been cleared to compete, while gymnast Kaisey Griffith can also go to Melbourne.

The ruling from the Commonwealth Games Federation was revealed yesterday by the Bermuda Olympic Association.

The involvement of the seven athletes, all of whom qualified and were selected for the games was thrown into doubt, after several expats were cut from Cayman’s team amid a rules controversy.

Under new regulations for Melbourne 2006 athletes must have nationality status in order to compete for that country.

Previously competitors simply had to have lived in the country for three years.

It is understood that Duffy, who has turned 18 will get Bermuda citizenship shortly, Smith and Griffiths all have strong family links to Bermuda and their case for inclusion was much better, even with the rule change.

But the South African Naude twins and Brit Jamie Brown are guest workers and had a weaker case. The trio were not informed of the rule change and had been expecting to compete.

John Hoskins, chairman of the BOA, was unavailable to elaborate on the brief press release yesterday.[[In-content Ad]]

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