Aussie coach "disgusted"

Sharmer · April 20, 2010, 5:41pm

Posted by KK when AA excluded a qualified 4x100 team for the OG in 08

The Australian Olympic Committee determine effectively the last day for submission of nominations and each of the national sports federations affiliated to the AOC will nominate their teams a week or so beforehand, allowing some time for appeals against omissions to the NFs or CAS. The nomination deadline has passed (it was June 23).

But the Aussie men’s 4x100 squad is currently qualified for Beijing. It was more a case of the AA selectors stating they don’t see much potential and lack faith in the men’s 4x100. Then again, they didn’t see the potential in a women’s 4x100 and it’s full of kids.

I think it’s more a situation of the selectors having collectively decided that if a relay should go to the Games, then every member of a potential starting foursome should have attained the A-standard - just like every athletes from all the other event groups (throwers, plodders etc).

The case for relay medals or finals spots has not been made effectively on this occasion. The concept of “team” has been overturned with those involved in pulling this contingent together conforming to the will of the narrow-minded majority who subscribe to the notion that athletics is all about individuals and damn the nation, the national program and the neighbours. The Olympics is not the forum for Development, it is the ultimate proving ground for the ultimate athlete. And there is plenty of truth in that, but it is narrow and not to my personal liking.

To read the head coach Binnington saying the team/sport/program is in a “rebuilding” phase is risable, because when is any sports program not building towards something greater. It is a constant process and if managed competently there will always be cream at the top and plenty of potential being integrated from the junior ranks 24/7.