Tamsyn tells coach to Nic off
By Jim Wilson
November 12, 2005
EIGHT-TIME national champion Tamsyn Lewis last night returned fire after being labelled a “nobody” and a “C-grade celebrity who runs” by Cathy Freeman’s former coach.
Nic Bideau, who coaches distance stars Craig Mottram and Benita Johnson, launched a scathing attack on Lewis and the direction of track and field in Australia in yesterday’s Herald Sun.
Bideau slammed Lewis’s poor results overseas, saying her performances paled compared to those of Mottram and Johnson.
“If they came from someone like Seb Coe or Daley Thompson or someone I respected, then Nic’s comments would have hurt me,” Lewis said.
"Aren’t we all about promoting the sport or is Nic just interested in personal attacks on other Australian athletes?
“To me, that doesn’t make much sense when we all should be one heading towards the Games.”
Lewis says Bideau is more interested in self-promotion and pushing up his own athletes in what she labelled a publicity stunt.
“I wouldn’t have thought this was the way to promote your athletes,” she said.
“Craig and Benita don’t need that sort of press as they are both world-class performers. I have acknowledged time and time again in my roles in the media (that) both have had outstanding years, and what Craig did at the world championships in winning bronze in the 5000m was awesome for our sport.”
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It’s believed several key decision makers in the sport at the top level expressed their disappointment at Bideau’s criticism of Lewis.
The 27-year-old is one of the faces of the Games and is regarded as one of the most supportive players in Athletics Australia’s quest to attract young talent to the sport.
“I’m not going to get down over Nic’s comments and I’ll just keep on training and get myself as best prepared as I can for the Games,” Lewis said.
“We need to promote our sport and I’m extremely passionate about supporting kids who are aspiring athletes.”
And supporting grassroots track and field will continue today for Lewis as she races over the 100m and 400m at a meeting in Glenhuntly.
She hasn’t ruled out the 800m in Melbourne in March following her 400m campaign at the Games.
It was also revealed yesterday by Victorian Minister for State and Regional Development John Brumby that Lewis will contest the Women’s Gift at Stawell this Easter.
This year’s event carries a record $10,000 prizemoney, making it Australia’s richest footrace for women.
“This is a massive boost for Stawell and I can’t wait for next year to get to run in Australia’s richest women’s race,” Lewis said.
The Stawell Easter carnival will be held from April 15-17.
Herald Sun