Sonia O'Sullivan has signed the contract sent out by the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) which determines what brand of gear she will wear at the Olympic Games in September. O'Sullivan has returned her contract to the OCI with some personal amendments but none of them concern the dispute between the Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI) and the OCI regarding sponsor's branding during the Games.

A number of other high-profile members of the AAI, including marathon runner Catherina McKiernan and 400 metres hurdler Susan Smith, have also signed.

In the interminable dispute surrounding the wearing of Asics (AAI's sponsor) or Adidas (OCI's sponsor), which has polarised the two organisations, the OCI claim that they have sent out 19 contracts and 10 have been returned signed. This ties the athletes into wearing the OCI's brand of clothing during the Sydney Games.

Kim McDonald's office in London, which governs the business affairs of O'Sullivan, confirmed yesterday that she had signed up with the OCI. "Yes, she has signed it. We have no problems with the contract," they said.

The OCI have always insisted that they have control over what clothing athletes wear during competition while the AAI have argued that their sponsor's gear will be used. The bitter dispute which has been rolling on since 1996 in Atlanta when O'Sullivan was asked to change her gear in a tunnel before stepping on to the track still has no end in sight.

The OCI, however, say that they are confident that all of the contracts sent out to athletes will be returned signed. They have been dealing directly with athletes, effectively excluding any involvement by the AAI. As a potential medallist, O'Sullivan's name is hugely important for the OCI to have on board as she is the athlete most useful to any sponsor. Her amendments to the contract apparently dealt with issues of sponsorship once the Games had been completed.

Meanwhile, there was consternation among athletes and swimmers following yesterday's declaration by the OCI that only athletes with an Olympic "A" standard qualification would be assured of a place in Sydney.

The OCI cited finance as the main reason they may have to cull an Irish Olympic team that currently looks like being 60 to 70 strong. Swimming and athletics will be the two hardest hit sports if the Olympic Council adhere rigidly to what they say. The OCI are the final arbiters of who is selected for an Irish Olympic team.

"It is very unlikely that the OCI will send any athlete who does not achieve an "A" qualifying time," said a spokesman. "The reason we have decided to take this action is primarily because of finance," he added.

Traditionally the OCI have selected athletes who have shown potential and who have come close to the qualification times set out. They have generally accepted names that the governing bodies have nominated. While the OCI say this is still an issue they will consider, their stance has become considerably more hardline.

As it stands, no swimmers will make it to Sydney. Approximately 10 have the "B" standard but none have achieved the "A" qualifying standard. "The only swimmer that Ireland ever had who made an "A" standard for the Olympic Games was Michelle (de Bruin)," said national swimming coach Ger Doyle. "Gary (O'Toole) never did because it didn't exist then. This would be a major blow for Irish swimmers if they are going to be selected on just an "A" standard. Currently there are none," he added.

"As a result of the last four years, it has been particularly difficult in swimming because we have not had funding and that was no fault at all of the swimmers concerned. It was because of other problems that beset swimming."

Government funding of swimming was withdrawn in the wake of a series of child abuse scandals during which former Olympic coach Derry O'Rourke was jailed for 12 years.

The secretary of the AAI, Christy Wall, pointed to the pre-selection of marathon runner Catherina McKiernan by the OCI. McKiernan, despite her world standing, has not achieved the "A" standard mainly because of injury this year.

"The International Olympic Committee set out "A" and "B" standards so why would the OCI then try to adjudicate on standards that their parent body has already agreed," said Wall. "In circumstances where we consider an athlete with a "B" standard can justify their presence in the Olympic Games, we will be nominating them," he said.

Mark Carroll has been selected on the Irish team for the European Cup in Kaunas, Lithuania on July 8th-9th although he is unlikely to take up his place. He will continue to train in the US until mid-July.