We know there will be some debate as to who should and shouldn't have been included in the line-up, and we encourage that debate (let us know what you think).

Sure, not all of our nominated team are Ballarat residents, but we would argue that their connections to our fine city are legitimate enough to warrant their inclusion in a local team.

We maintain that, in all cases, they have spent some part of their lives fine-tuning their athletic abilities in Ballarat. They have family, and/or friends here and have forged links that will last a lifetime.

The list is a varied and impressive one, and builds on an Olympic tradition that remains strong in Ballarat.

We have consistently been able to send athletes to the Olympic Games who, medals or otherwise, have done us proud - Garry Gullock, Steve Moneghetti, Robyn Gull, Rachel Taylor, John Vernon, Bobby Bath - not necessarily all household names across the country, but certainly

people who hold a special place in the heart of Ballarat.

We wish our current crop - Team Ballarat - the very best of luck as they fulfil what for many of them is a dream come true.

No club should carry players who lie

Collingwood football club had no choice but to suspend players Alan Didak and Heath Saw after it was revealed the pair had lied about an accident on Sunday night.

The actions of the pair were a gross breach of the trust that should exist between players, their colleagues and the club that, in the case of this pair, has stood by them when many would have cast them aside.

For president Eddie McGuire, their lies were humiliating and embarrassing. They deserve his wrath, as well as that of their fellow players and club officials.

The pair won't play again this year. Whether or not Collingwood is prepared to take another gamble on them next season remains to be seen.

Certainly, no one would blame them if they didn't.