His reaction in the aftermath of his Olympic victory in Atlanta - "If anyone sees me going near another boat, they have my permission to shoot me" - may yet give way to a subsequent request: "Hold your fire." A decision is likely to be reached in the next couple of months, he says, and a pending chat with his coach, Jurgen Grobler, will be a crucial factor. Speaking at the launch of a four-year, pounds 6m investment in British sport by Barclaycard, the 38-year-old rower identified hosting the Olympics as the factor most likely to improve Britain's sporting standards. "An Academy of Sport would be very good, but having the Olympics would push us forward more than anything," he said. He agreed with the British Olympic Association's policy of not bidding for the 2004 Games - "It would not give us enough time to set things up properly" - and backed the option of campaigning for the 2008 Games, if necessary as a prelude to a further bid for the Olympics of 2012."Our 10, 11 and 12-year-olds today are the ones who would be winning medals in 2012," he said. Steven Redgrave, still debating whether to extend his own Olympic career, yesterday called upon the public to support a British bid for the Games.

Kent, though 15 points behind Leicestershire, remain in the hunt and even Yorkshire, while no longer holding a realistic chance, are mathematical contenders.Mullally signed a new three-year contract yesterday and his return, fully rested, gives Leicestershire's captain, James Whitaker, a full hand, provided there are none who succumb to a flu bug doing the rounds at Grace Road.Stuart Law, the Australian all-rounder, is back to aid the Essex challenge (they play at home to Sussex, then Glamorgan) after helping Australia reach the Singer Cup final in Sri Lanka, but their strike bowler Neil Williams is out with a thigh injury.Derbyshire, who finish at home to Durham, hope first to emulate Surrey and Essex in thrashing the outgoing champions, Warwickshire, at Derby.. The lanky left-arm England pace bowler was determined his ability would be recognised with a Test cap this year, followed by a place on the winter tours. The second wish was granted on Tuesday when he was named in the party for Zimbabwe and New Zealand. However, clinching the third goal - the Championship - may be trickier. Ahead by only one point going into the penultimate round, Leicestershire know that a maximum haul against Durham at Chester-le-Street, starting today, and then Middlesex at Grace Road next week would guarantee a first title since 1975.The race is open enough still for Surrey, Derbyshire and Essex to view their prospects with similar optimism.

19 Sept: Worcestershire (h).DERBYSHIRE: Today: Warwickshire (h) 19 Sept: Durham (h).ESSEX: Today: Sussex (h) 19 Sept: Glamorgan (h).KENT: Today: Hampshire (h) 19 Sept: Gloucestershire (a).. Alan Mullally returns to the Leicestershire side today having already achieved two of his ambitions for the season but aware that pulling off the last may be the most difficult, writes Jon Culley. But the notion that this is a success driven by a couple of hard-nosed northerners would also be less than accurate.Birkenshaw's roots are unmistakable but the harsher edges of Whitaker's vowels have long since been smoothed away. Alan Mullally's talent has been recognised at last and there are not many batsmen who look forward to taking on David Millns, even at 30. And the contribution of Phil Simmons, as a bowler, batsman and slip fielder, has been immeasurable.''Simmons, the West Indian all-rounder, signed a new two year-contract yesterday amid high optimism at Grace Road.

Two more handsome victories and Leicestershire, with a lead of one point as they begin the penultimate round against Durham at Chester-le-Street today, will carry off the title for the first time since Ray Illingworth led them to it in 1975.It may be an omen that the present captain is another Yorkshireman, as is the manager, Jack Birkenshaw, who was a member of Illingworth's side. All the counties we have beaten we have beaten handsomely, including sides with five or six internationals, and, of the six draws, three were dictated by the weather."We have used only 13 players and everyone has won us a game, in one way or another. That Wilkinson was unfailingly honest and is in touch with wider realities did not come into the equation.Ironically, Wilkinson's replacement, George Graham, had begun to experience something similar at Arsenal before he was called to account in a "bung" inquiry, sacked and then suspended from football for 12 months. But what they do not see is a team."I don't think any of the other counties would begrudge us the title. Nothing new in this, but it is getting more and more difficult to be light-hearted about a game for children..