A late change of plan means that Sonia O'Sullivan will now compete in either the 800 metres or 1,000 metres events in her last pre-Olympic race at Runaway Bay off the Gold Coast on Sunday.

Originally, she had planned to race over 2,000 metres, a distance which would appear to have more relevance on the context of her preparation for the 5,000 metres Olympic championship.

Explaining the reason for the change, a member of O'Sullivan's entourage said they now believed it would be more beneficial to test her speed at the shorter distance.

"Its quite possible that the last 800 metres in the Olympic final will be covered in two minutes four seconds and we want to try and replicate that in her race on Sunday," he said.

As yet, it is not clear who will join her on the start line but the expectation is that that the line-up will include at least one American and a Canadian athlete.

Ireland's main hope for an Olympic medal arrived in Australia last Friday and has since been been training in Melbourne. She will travel to the Gold Coast on Saturday and plans to continue her preparation there at an athletics facility run by the distinguished Australian runner, Ron Clarke.

O'Sullivan is not due in Sydney until shortly before the start of the track and field programme.

Security agents with Israel's Olympic team have been caught trying to bring banned bullet-proof vests and gun holsters into Australia.

The bullet-proof vests, which are banned by federal law, were confiscated by customs officials after they were found by police at the Olympic athletes' village on Saturday, officials said yesterday. "Personal protective equipment" was found in the baggage." Customs officers said a warning letter had been issued to those responsible. "The goods have been determined to have been imported contrary to Customs Prohibited Import Regulations."

Police said there had been no attempt to hide the articles and team officials had fully co-operated. "It appears the incident has been one of a misunderstanding."

Israel has been highly sensitive to Olympic security since 11 of its athletes were killed at Munich in 1972 and has reinforced its consulate in Sydney with steel and concrete in case of a terrorist attack during the Games.

It is sending its largest Olympic team ever to Sydney, comprising 39 athletes and 10 officials who will be based on Queensland's Sunshine Coast until the days before the opening ceremony on September 15th.

The Australian taxation office has shelved plans to tax foreign athletes for bonuses they earn for winning medals. The ATO had insisted it was entitled to claim bonuses paid by sponsors and even foreign governments but has now admitted it would be impossible to enforce.