US-born rower Buckland in Australian team

United States-born rower Brodie Buckland has been confirmed in Australia’s team for the London Olympics, only five months after gaining Australian citizenship. Buckland, who rowed for the United States on the 2007 World Cup circuit, was named on Tuesday to form a men’s pair with Beijing Olympics silver medallist James Marburg, after defending games champion Duncan Free was ruled out with injury. The pair will race at a World Cup regatta in Munich this weekend before training in Italy for five weeks ahead of the London Games. Buckland, 28, has been based in Australia for the past three years, first competing for his adopted nation in 2010.Buckland said he was unpopular with his US teammates after moving from Washington State university to Harvard to study law and he didn’t expect his move to Australia to improve their relationship. “They didn’t like me much when I was on the team so I don’t expect the love would have increased,” Buckland said. “I wouldn’t expect they’re gonna come up and give me hugs and embrace me like a long lost brother.”from gulf news.