NOW THAT OUGHT TO BE AN OLYMPIC EVENT:

Crewmate slaps Sally Robbins (Peter Kogoy and Jenny McAsey, September 17, 2004, news.com.au)

THE same athlete who declared her team was "not punching each other" after Sally Robbins stopped rowing in Athens, will be disciplined for slapping her teammate at a post-Olympics celebration.

Catriona Oliver hit Robbins across the shoulder in plain view of other guests and Robbins then pursued Oliver into the toilets, where the brawl is believed to have continued.

A senior Australian Olympic Committee staffer, who asked not to be named, said she saw Robbins follow Oliver into a women's toilet at the Sydney Superdome, where the pair had to be pulled apart.

She described the slap as "unbelievable".

"It happened at the back of the room. I know Sally left for the ladies' (toilets) in tears afterwards."

The women's rowing team were attending the party as part of Sydney's welcome home parade for the athletes on Wednesday.

Robbins, 23, was last night being comforted by friend and athlete Jana Pittman.

"All I can say is Sally is my best mate and I love her. She's here with me and staying with me," Pittman said.