Olympics-Australian athletics team to skip opening ceremony

BRISBANE, Australia, June 16 (Reuters) - The majority of Australia's track and field team will not march in the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Beijing on Aug. 8 after opting to remain at their training camp in Hong Kong.

An Australian Olympic Committee spokesman said the decision to skip the opening ceremony was a logistical one and had nothing to do with health concerns.

Mike Tancred told Australian Associated Press the bulk of Australia's athletics team would be at their camp in Hong Kong until shortly before the start of track and field competition on Aug. 15.

Several others, including twice 400-metres hurdles world champion Jana Rawlinson and the race walkers, will complete their preparations in Japan.

"Most of the athletes have decided to come in later and not march (in the opening ceremony)," Tancred said.

(Reporting by Andrew Stevens; Editing by Ed Osmond)