Sonia O'Sullivan spends most of her time in Australia

Irish athlete Sonia O'Sullivan is interested in competing for Australia in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

O'Sullivan, who lives in Australia most of the time, said it would be on a one-off basis and that she did not intent surrendering her Irish nationality.

The Olympic silver medallist would be 36 when the Games are staged in Melbourne.

"The only reason these thoughts came about is because the Commonwealth Games are going to be in Melbourne Cricket Ground. I can walk there from my house in a minute," O'Sullivan told the Irish Times.

"It is something I have discussed with a few people and something I have thought about for a while now.

"If it is a possibility, why not? But right now it is a long way down the road. To be honest it is the last thing on my mind right now."

O'Sullivan would have to qualify for Australia by getting dual nationality for sporting purposes, or through residency.