Josh Ross Olympic doubt

[kitkat1]

MELBOURNE HERALD-SUN NEWSPAPER
February 06, 2008 12:00am

by Scott Gullan

THE career of troubled sprinter Joshua Ross hangs in the balance with his Beijing Olympic campaign seemingly over.

Ross is taking time away from the track to deal with personal problems and has already withdrawn from this month’s two major grand prix meetings in Sydney and Melbourne where he was set to clash with world-record holder Asafa Powell.

The four-time national 100m champion looks increasingly unlikely to compete at the Olympic selection trials which begin in Brisbane on February 28.

Ross, 26, revealed he was suffering depression during last year’s world titles in Osaka in August and returned home early after withdrawing from the men’s relay team.

[b]Athletics Australia chief executive Danny Corcoran confirmed last night the troubled state of one of the sport’s biggest stars.

“Josh is dealing with some personal issues that have got nothing to do with athletics,” Corcoran said. "This has placed this season in doubt and possibly his Olympic selection.

“We are trying to assist him through the issues he has got and that is all we can do at the moment.” [/b]

[b]It is understood Ross has been struggling to deal with the break-up of a relationship.

He has also had problems with his support network and recently started work with Paul Nancarrow, his third coach in just over 12 months[/b].

The first signs of serious trouble came last month when he withdrew from a number of races at the last minute. When he finally made his first appearance on the track in Canberra on Australia Day it was a disaster.

Ross, who set a personal best of 10.08sec last year, finished at the tail of the field in the embarrassing time of 10.88sec after appearing to stop running halfway down the straight.

The arrival of Powell, who lowered his own 100m record to 9.74sec last August, was expected to provide a much-needed boost for Ross, with AA’s international liaison manager Maurie Plant arranging for him to train with the Jamaican superstar in Melbourne.

Powell will race in either the 100m or 4 x 100m relay in Sydney on February 16 and is a definite starter in the 100m at the Melbourne grand prix on February 21.

Ross’s problems last year stemmed from a decision by his then coach Emil Rizk to base themselves in Crete for three months leading into the world titles.

It was there where the sprinter felt isolated and struggled with homesickness. By the time he reached Osaka he was a wreck and stayed in his room for the entire time.

While he managed to progress through the opening round of the 100m, he was run out in the second round after clocking a disappointing 10.42sec and immediately withdrew from the 200m and relay.

Ross arrived on the athletics scene in 2003 when he won Australia’s richest footrace, the Stawell Gift. He won his first national title the following year and clinched a berth to the Athens Olympics where he finished fifth in the quarter-finals in a then personal best 10.22sec.

In 2005 he returned to Stawell and became only the second runner in history to win the race from scratch. He also won his second national title and then made the semi-finals of the world titles in Helsinki.

At the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006, he just failed to make the final which was won by Powell.

[kentcounty]

That is a shame.

I hope he pulls through it ok.

[kitkat1]

@kitkat1

MELBOURNE HERALD-SUN NEWSPAPER
February 06, 2008 12:00am

by Scott Gullan

THE career of troubled sprinter Joshua Ross hangs in the balance with his Beijing Olympic campaign seemingly over.

Ross is taking time away from the track to deal with personal problems and has already withdrawn from this month’s two major grand prix meetings in Sydney and Melbourne where he was set to clash with world-record holder Asafa Powell.

The four-time national 100m champion looks increasingly unlikely to compete at the Olympic selection trials which begin in Brisbane on February 28.

Ross, 26, revealed he was suffering depression during last year’s world titles in Osaka in August and returned home early after withdrawing from the men’s relay team.

[b]Athletics Australia chief executive Danny Corcoran confirmed last night the troubled state of one of the sport’s biggest stars.

“Josh is dealing with some personal issues that have got nothing to do with athletics,” Corcoran said. "This has placed this season in doubt and possibly his Olympic selection.

“We are trying to assist him through the issues he has got and that is all we can do at the moment.” [/b]

[b]It is understood Ross has been struggling to deal with the break-up of a relationship.

He has also had problems with his support network and recently started work with Paul Nancarrow, his third coach in just over 12 months[/b].

The first signs of serious trouble came last month when he withdrew from a number of races at the last minute. When he finally made his first appearance on the track in Canberra on Australia Day it was a disaster.

Ross, who set a personal best of 10.08sec last year, finished at the tail of the field in the embarrassing time of 10.88sec after appearing to stop running halfway down the straight.

The arrival of Powell, who lowered his own 100m record to 9.74sec last August, was expected to provide a much-needed boost for Ross, with AA’s international liaison manager Maurie Plant arranging for him to train with the Jamaican superstar in Melbourne.

Powell will race in either the 100m or 4 x 100m relay in Sydney on February 16 and is a definite starter in the 100m at the Melbourne grand prix on February 21.

Ross’s problems last year stemmed from a decision by his then coach Emil Rizk to base themselves in Crete for three months leading into the world titles.

It was there where the sprinter felt isolated and struggled with homesickness. By the time he reached Osaka he was a wreck and stayed in his room for the entire time.

While he managed to progress through the opening round of the 100m, he was run out in the second round after clocking a disappointing 10.42sec and immediately withdrew from the 200m and relay.

Ross arrived on the athletics scene in 2003 when he won Australia’s richest footrace, the Stawell Gift. He won his first national title the following year and clinched a berth to the Athens Olympics where he finished fifth in the quarter-finals in a then personal best 10.22sec.

In 2005 he returned to Stawell and became only the second runner in history to win the race from scratch. He also won his second national title and then made the semi-finals of the world titles in Helsinki.

At the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006, he just failed to make the final which was won by Powell.

I hope he sorts out his personal relationship which obviously means a heck of a lot to him because it had completely derailed his training for a while.

I think he has his priorities right.

Plus any coach knows that you work with the person first, and the athlete will follow.

[Foxnsox]

@kitkat1

MELBOURNE HERALD-SUN NEWSPAPER
February 06, 2008 12:00am

by Scott Gullan

THE career of troubled sprinter Joshua Ross hangs in the balance with his Beijing Olympic campaign seemingly over.

Ross is taking time away from the track to deal with personal problems and has already withdrawn from this month’s two major grand prix meetings in Sydney and Melbourne where he was set to clash with world-record holder Asafa Powell.

The four-time national 100m champion looks increasingly unlikely to compete at the Olympic selection trials which begin in Brisbane on February 28.

Ross, 26, revealed he was suffering depression during last year’s world titles in Osaka in August and returned home early after withdrawing from the men’s relay team.

[b]Athletics Australia chief executive Danny Corcoran confirmed last night the troubled state of one of the sport’s biggest stars.

“Josh is dealing with some personal issues that have got nothing to do with athletics,” Corcoran said. "This has placed this season in doubt and possibly his Olympic selection.

“We are trying to assist him through the issues he has got and that is all we can do at the moment.” [/b]

[b]It is understood Ross has been struggling to deal with the break-up of a relationship.

He has also had problems with his support network and recently started work with Paul Nancarrow, his third coach in just over 12 months[/b].

The first signs of serious trouble came last month when he withdrew from a number of races at the last minute. When he finally made his first appearance on the track in Canberra on Australia Day it was a disaster.

Ross, who set a personal best of 10.08sec last year, finished at the tail of the field in the embarrassing time of 10.88sec after appearing to stop running halfway down the straight.

The arrival of Powell, who lowered his own 100m record to 9.74sec last August, was expected to provide a much-needed boost for Ross, with AA’s international liaison manager Maurie Plant arranging for him to train with the Jamaican superstar in Melbourne.

Powell will race in either the 100m or 4 x 100m relay in Sydney on February 16 and is a definite starter in the 100m at the Melbourne grand prix on February 21.

Ross’s problems last year stemmed from a decision by his then coach Emil Rizk to base themselves in Crete for three months leading into the world titles.

It was there where the sprinter felt isolated and struggled with homesickness. By the time he reached Osaka he was a wreck and stayed in his room for the entire time.

While he managed to progress through the opening round of the 100m, he was run out in the second round after clocking a disappointing 10.42sec and immediately withdrew from the 200m and relay.

Ross arrived on the athletics scene in 2003 when he won Australia’s richest footrace, the Stawell Gift. He won his first national title the following year and clinched a berth to the Athens Olympics where he finished fifth in the quarter-finals in a then personal best 10.22sec.

In 2005 he returned to Stawell and became only the second runner in history to win the race from scratch. He also won his second national title and then made the semi-finals of the world titles in Helsinki.

At the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006, he just failed to make the final which was won by Powell.

I heard it through the grapevine. Joshua had a Greek girlfriend in Crete. When things went sour between them, he lost motivation and under performed at Worlds. Seems like the same situation again.

Lets all hope Joshua can get back to running fast.

[mortac8]

Women weaken legs

[kitkat1]

@mortac8

Women weaken legs

??? But Flojo full squatted 4000kg and ran 9.49 backwards :eek:

[jumper]

@mortac8

Women weaken legs

Hmmm, interesting. This time last year he was in 10.1 shape and brimming with confidence. It’s pretty shocking though, and I hope he gets through this alright…

[kitkat1]

@jumper

Hmmm, interesting. This time last year he was in 10.1 shape and brimming with confidence. It’s pretty shocking though, and I hope he gets through this alright…

That’s true. Well, we have a forum member who is in charge of coaching activities for Josh Ross and what we can categorically state from Josh’s history is that his problems, whatever their sources, began a long time before he even met Nanny.

In fact I don’t think it’s drawing too long a bow to say that had Nanny not been available to coach Josh locally to where he (Ross) insisted on living (in a surfside country town someplace between Sydney and Newcastle), that Josh may well have wandered away from the track well before now.

If Josh sorts out his private relationships and gets some emotional stability back in his life - which, from private correspondence, is what has primarily occupied too much of Nanny’s time and energy of late - then there could be blue skies ahead for a guy who has a heap of talent and a coach who has been taking cheap shots on the chin from people who call themselves his friend. :rolleyes:

[Senri]

@mortac8

Women weaken legs

oh man i have to be careful about this one.

[Slowspeed]

Sorry without being rude and not upsetting any one. Can i say as much as Mr Ross has this problems (which i completely sympatise and understand) BUT BUT BUT what the hell happened to single-mindedness of making it at all cost. For a guy that have run 10.08 (No doubt has worked and trained bloody hard for) why is he allowing all this stuff to derail him. Now before anyone one jumps on me as i dont understand what this man is going through but i hope he sorts it out and gets back on the wagon of speed.

All the great one in TRACK and BUSINESS deal with all the issues that we all have in life but they are all without doubt single minded “i wont let anything get in the way kind of animals”

I hope this guys get back on track…

[superman16]

Without being nasty, I rekon he should toughen up. Everyone has shit going on in their lives, some people have it worse then an overseas fling ending near the world champs, but really, get a hold of yourself. People have their kids die-guess what-they have to go back to work. For Josh, track is his work, so he can’t just decide he can’t be bothered cause he feels so depressed. I’m sympathetic for his cause, but really, be thankful that you have the ability to run 10.08 - many people on this board would die for that - and get motivation out of whatever you can - even bad things/events - to get yourself to run quicker and quicker. The most successful people in life usually had massive adversity that they had to overcome, but it was this adversity that trained them to make the most of every opportunity that comes there way. I’m not beating on Josh, just telling him to put life into perspective, and maybe hold up on looking for a new girlfriend til after the olympics…

He’s got a lot of people vouching for him, wanting him to do well, he should use that as encouragement. There’d be hardly a member on this enitre forum that dosen’t want to see him running 9’s at the Olympics, so my advice for him would be too lose himself (and thus his depression) in training and competing. If he gives his passion towards sprinting, he’ll find he performs better and starts thinking life is not so bad afterall. He’s got a gift, it’d be a pity for him not 2 use it cause of everyday life and the challengers it throughs at us.

[DMA]

Hmm. Do some reading on depression. Spiralling is a common occurence, getting out of the hole is hard.

The medication people who are diagnosed maybe inapropriate for an athlete.

I understand what you are saying about toughen up, unfortunately it is easier to say then do.

[hornblower]

@DMA

Hmm. Do some reading on depression. Spiralling is a common occurence, getting out of the hole is hard.

The medication people who are diagnosed maybe inapropriate for an athlete.

I understand what you are saying about toughen up, unfortunately it is easier to say then do.

especially since depression would be likely to affect him physically, as well…

[Davan]

@DMA

Hmm. Do some reading on depression. Spiralling is a common occurence, getting out of the hole is hard.

The medication people who are diagnosed maybe inapropriate for an athlete.

I understand what you are saying about toughen up, unfortunately it is easier to say then do.

Kelly Holmes was near suicide, got some basic treatment, and won the Olympics. I am against that vast medication Western society seems to love with regards to “depression” but depression to a clinical level is very serious and generally requires some sort of medical intervention, whether it be medication or alternative treatments.

[Foxnsox]

@DMA

Hmm. Do some reading on depression. Spiralling is a common occurence, getting out of the hole is hard.

The medication people who are diagnosed maybe inapropriate for an athlete.

I understand what you are saying about toughen up, unfortunately it is easier to say then do.

This AA CEO is real clown!! Why the heck does he let all of Australia know that Joshua is suffering from depression. I couldn’t image Nanny or Ross would be happy about that.

[John]

@superman16

Without being nasty, I rekon he should toughen up. Everyone has shit going on in their lives, some people have it worse then an overseas fling ending near the world champs, but really, get a hold of yourself. People have their kids die-guess what-they have to go back to work. For Josh, track is his work, so he can’t just decide he can’t be bothered cause he feels so depressed. I’m sympathetic for his cause, but really, be thankful that you have the ability to run 10.08 - many people on this board would die for that - and get motivation out of whatever you can - even bad things/events - to get yourself to run quicker and quicker. The most successful people in life usually had massive adversity that they had to overcome, but it was this adversity that trained them to make the most of every opportunity that comes there way. I’m not beating on Josh, just telling him to put life into perspective, and maybe hold up on looking for a new girlfriend til after the olympics…

He’s got a lot of people vouching for him, wanting him to do well, he should use that as encouragement. There’d be hardly a member on this enitre forum that dosen’t want to see him running 9’s at the Olympics, so my advice for him would be too lose himself (and thus his depression) in training and competing. If he gives his passion towards sprinting, he’ll find he performs better and starts thinking life is not so bad afterall. He’s got a gift, it’d be a pity for him not 2 use it cause of everyday life and the challengers it throughs at us.

:rolleyes:
you obviously have no comprehension of depression and how debilitating it can be.

[Foxnsox]

@John

:rolleyes:
you obviously have no comprehension of depression and how debilitating it can be.

I don’t think Joshua has clinical depression. Most people experience some hard times after a relationship breakup, some take it worse. I am sure that Danny Corrocan’s comments have blown things out of proportion.

[kentcounty]

Could it also be fair to suggest that Josh’s indegenous background also plays a role with his home sickness last year, his personality that the way he feels his environment?

[DMA]

I agree about the medical situation.

I am not sure of the definition of clinical depression, but they say 1 in 5 suffer a form of depression at some stage of there life.

I have found from experience of looking after people with depression (family and friends) that everything that happens is generally bad, and the hardest thing is admitting that you have a problem.

I think Josh has done that, so he is well on his way.

The CEO of AA hopefully had the okay from Josh to mention depression, if not naughty boy Danny.

[John]

@Foxnsox

I don’t think Joshua has clinical depression. Most people experience some hard times after a relationship breakup, some take it worse. I am sure that Danny Corrocan’s comments have blown things out of proportion.

I never said he did.

In many cases depression is situational and temporary although at the time it seems like it will never end and you have no motivation for anything. Being down and being depressed are entirely diffferent. And yes, I speak from personal experience although mine was a different cause to his.