Inside Lines: No walking on water for Britain's Olympians

If only water-skiing was an Olympic sport, Britain would be looking forward to a golden haul in Athens. Last year, led by the redoubtable veteran slalomer Andy Mapple, Britain had a competitor on top of the podium at every major world event and is already ruling the waves in 2004, breaking world records and collecting shoals of medals. Barefooter David Small, 20, from Stoke, is the latest to walk on water as a world champion. Alas, despite pressure from the Greeks, water-skiing remains an Olympic outcast. Too elitist, say the International Olympic Committee. That's a blow for Brtitain because it is easily the nation's most successful sport in terms of global results. And with Athens fast approaching it begs the question of where any British medals of the golden variety will actually come from? Probably still on water, thanks to Ben Ainslie and his fellow sailors, and possibly, but not probably, the rowers. But there is a growing worry that these Games could be as much a disaster for British hopes as they may turn out to be for the host city if acts are not got together pretty smartish. Paula Radcliffe apart, who is going to strike gold in athletics (and even she will find the heat and dust difficult to conquer)? We may not even have a single boxer to follow Audley Harrison, though Georgina Harland, with luck and a decent horse, has the talent to emulate Steff Cooke in the modern pentathlon. Bill Sweetenham vows much British improvement in the pool, but declines to forecast gold. Similarly cycling, taekwondo, judo and gymnastics may throw up bronze or silver, but unless there's gold glistening around at least half a dozen necks one can imagine parliament's ever-poised Culture, Media and Sport Committee asking what's become of the Lottery money.

Frankly, did Campbell 'sex up' racism row?

It seems The Times have got a tad touchy about criticism of the scribblings of their latest signing, former Labour spinner Alastair Campbell, now a born-again sports hack. His slagging-off of Millwall fans for alleged racist chantings was firmly rebuffed in a letter to the paper's sports pages by Millwall fan Frank Maloney, the boxing manager who is also running for Mayor of London. Maloney claims his suggestion that Burnley supporter Campbell might have "sexed up" his observations was edited out, together with a comment that, as an erstwhile spin doctor, Campbell "has a reputation for not letting the facts get in the way of a good story" (although we thought that was a real journo's job, Frank). Says Maloney: "They took out certain other comments of mine, too, one being that Millwall fans were booing both black and white Burnley players. There was no racial discrimination, although they did sing 'You dirty northern bastards... I'm surprised Campbell was not offended by that."

Anyone from tennis? Just the job

What is it about the Lawn Tennis Association that has other organisations jumping the net to recruit their top brass? After all, it isn't as if their administrative expertise has enabled the already richly-endowed sport to win anything more than hefty handouts from the Government and Lottery over recent years. But perhaps that is the advantage point. The former LTA man Richard Lewis now runs rugby league, while Roger Draper, who was the director of development at Barons Court, is now Sport England's chief executive. And in May the new, slimmed-down Sport England will have a new communications manager, one Kris Dent, from... guess where? The LTA, of course, where he is currenty press officer with responsibility for public affairs. Anyone from tennis?

Sepp Blatter always was something of a leg man. That was principally his function when he was Fifa secretary-general under the autocratic presidency of Joao Havelange, and at one stage in his life he also happened to president of the Society for the Preservation of the Suspender.

So any impression he may be giving about warming to London's bid for the 2012 Olympics following an audience with HRH and tea at Tony's place may well be considered something of a leg-pull. Blatter is still in no mood to do England any favours after the FA's opposition to his presidency and the word is he and Brazil's Havelange, both hugely influential figures on the IOC, are working hard to see that Rio gets the nod in Singapore next year. The thought appeals that Rio, with a renovated Maracana, could become the third venue, after Mexico City and Munich, to hold Olympics and World Cup finals in successive cycles. Rio 2012 and 2014? Blame it on Blatter.

Athletes and swimmers are not alone in celebrating the saving of Crystal Palace. They are dancing in the streets of nearby Penge, where some may recall Frank and Peggy Spencer's formation fox-trotting.

With the Palace still up and running, partners can be taken for the annual DanceSport Cup, international showpiece of competitive ballroom dancing, which goes ahead there on 24 May. Ballroom dancing, now offically recognised as a sport in Britain, has been rebuffed in its attempt to gain Olympic status for Beijing. But with almost 30 nations now pressing for its inclusion, will the IOC yet be swayed towards the first tango in Paris? Or should London get ready to rhumba?

insidelines@independent.co.uk

Exit Lines

If I don't ride him first he gets stroppy. He's a big baby and needs lots of attention. Olympic equestrian hope Zara Phillips on her horsey companion, 11-year-old Toytown... I've been going for 13 years now and am still described as an up-and-comer, so I wonder if I'll ever arrive. Ambitious Charlton manager Alan Curbishley... What we are looking at is an absolute mess, and a very costly one at that. Liana Kanelli, a Greek Communist MP, alleges preparations for the Athens Games are now a disaster area.