Clijsters turns down Olympic place
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Clijsters: "I want to remain fair to the people I made a contract with."
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BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) -- World No. 2 Kim Clijsters will not play tennis for Belgium at next summer's Olympic Games after a wrangle over sponsored clothing.
The 20-year-old said she will "remain fair" to her own backer -- Italian manufacturer Fila -- rather than wear rival Adidas' official Belgian uniform in Athens.
"As long as my clothing remains an issue, it is impossible for me to go to the Olympics," Clijsters has said. She confirmed her decision on Monday.
"I've decided not to go to the Olympic Games," Clijsters said in a diary on her official Web site.
"I want to remain fair to the people I made a contract with. They were the only ones who wanted me two years ago."
Clijsters wished her compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne -- already sponsored by Adidas -- luck at the Olympics.
"I really hope Justine takes the gold in Athens and hopefully the other Belgians take plenty of medals as well," she said. "I'll be their number one supporter."
However, Clijsters will fly the flag for her Fed Cup team next year after turning her back on the Belgian cause last month in Moscow.
Missing Clijsters and her No, 1-ranked compatriot Henin-Hardenne, the Belgian team fell in the semifinals to an understrength U.S. team.
Clijsters, who made no secret of her disappointment when Moscow was made host for the Fed Cup climax, last weekend watched boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt help capture the Davis Cup title for Australia.
"The atmosphere was comparable with the Fed Cup in my home town Bree. Next year I'll play the Fed Cup again because the event will probably be organized in Bree again," she said
"I also want Belgium to stay in the world group and the event fits in my schedule."
