MISSED THIS ONE, IT’S A BEAUTY 
Sanderson weighs into the flops of the track
Nico Hines
Tuesday March 28, 2006
The Guardian
Britain’s Olympic javelin gold medallist Tessa Sanderson has joined the attack on England’s underperforming male track athletes in Melbourne.
:eek: The former vice chair of Sport England labelled them “selfish” and “rubbish” and she suggested they “get the hell out” to make room for some of the younger, up-and-coming competitors.
Sanderson, a triple Commonwealth gold medallist, said: “It was really embarrassing. The men need to focus on being a team, especially for the relay. If one of your colleagues is running badly you need to help them find their hunger.”
Dean Macey in the decathlon, the triple-jumper Phillips Idowu and the javelin thrower Nick Nieland won their events.
:eek: But the men’s track team failed to collect a single gold medal.
Sanderson said that instead of sending well-paid established track stars to compete for their country she would "rather send a good junior than someone who is not committed.
“If someone is giving excuses and they’re not sure how fit they are, then get the hell out. That would give the younger guys an opportunity. Sometimes the athletes are so selfish they won’t give up their own stuff to help others.”
Christine Ohuruogu was one such given the chance and won the 400m gold medal. At 21 she showed how well a young English competitor can perform at the highest level.
Sanderson believes lessons must be learned from Ohuruogu’s success. “The girls were fantastic but the men were :rolleyes: rubbish, there are absolutely no excuses. Christine was 100% focused.”
At the end of her career Sanderson became involved with Sport England, which is responsible for allocating part of the lottery funding to athletes.
She left that post in 2004 but is still interested in funding issues.
She feels bodies such as UK Athletics do not do enough: “They only dish out the cash. The problem was clear at the last world championships. They shouldn’t have been so big-headed about it before. The athletes need a lot more training and a lot more of :eek: a kicking.”
TESSA, GET OFF THE FENCE AND SAY WHAT YOU REALLY THINK! BLOODY FIELD EVENTERS, SHE’S WAITED 20 YEARS TO TAKE AIM AT THE RUNNERS.
