IRELAND's triple gold medallist Michelle Smith has been nominated for the 1997 Jesse Owens International Trophy Award. Smith, who won the 400 metres freestyle and 200 and 400 individual medley events in Atlanta, is among 11 1996 Olympic gold medallists to be nominated.

They include American Michael Johnson, the first man to take Olympic gold in both the 200 and 400 metres, who could also become the first two time Jesse Owens award winner, having received it this year.

The award, which will be presented on February 4th in New York, goes to the athlete who "best personifies excellence in athletic performance and promotes sincere co operation and understanding among people of all nations".