Olympics: Gough still waiting on silver lining

New Zealand track cyclist Westley Gough will leave the Olympic Village with fond memories -- but almost certainly empty-handed.

Gough was the unlucky team pursuit squad member to miss out on a bronze medal after New Zealand beat Australia in the third and fourth ride off last week.

The 20-year-old had been part of the quartet for their initial qualifying ride but was replaced by individual pursuit silver medallist Hayden Roulston for New Zealand's first round and medal races.

BikeNZ, through cycling's governing body UCI, has made inquiries to Games organisers BOCOG and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to determine whether an extra bronze can be awarded to Gough, in recognition of his participation in Beijing.

BikeNZ's high performance manager Mark Elliott said he had hoped to have already learned of the outcome. The cycling team heads home with the bulk of the New Zealand contingent on a chartered flight on Tuesday.

In previous Olympics reserve cyclists have been awarded medals, but not in China. Swimming allows for medals to be awarded to relay team members who helped teams qualify. Athletics, however, do not.

If a medal is not awarded, BikeNZ intends to take a cast of one of the bronzes and create replicas -- for Gough and Peter Latham, who trained with the team but not ride competitively.