The end of a cyclist’s dream

Press, 7 June 1980, Page 1

The end of a cyclist’s dream

By

RAY CAIRNS

A month ago, Graeme Miller’s greatest cycling dream had come true: in a story-book rapid rise to the top, he had been chosen for the Moscow Olympics. Yesterday, Miller, who is 19, was contemplating a career that seemed to him in tatters, after the withdrawal by the national cycling council of its team for the Gaines. So despondent was the Blenheim lad over the decision, so bitter was he at what he claimed was a breach of faith by the cycling association, that he was alternately thinking of throwing the sport away, and of billing the administrators for $3OOO. “I thought we would at least have gone away to some other competition,” said Miller. “They have told us all along that we would go to something else if the Olympics fell through. They have let us down completely. “I rang Gordon Sharrock (manager of the prospective team and convener of the selection panel) and asked him what was going on. He said he didn’t know, and when I asked him if we would go to the world champs instead he told me we (the pursuit team) had not even been entered.

“I’ve had cycling up to my neck,” said Miller, “and they can stick it as far as I am concerned. I’ve got nothing to train for, when they tell you there will be a trip away, then let you down. They have told us now, to keep training for a couple of months and something might turn up.; Stire, then nothing \ will, and ■ then they, will tell us to keep going for another month.

“What incentive does it give a fellow to train? When I think of all those nights out training and now nothing. “I’ll tell you what,” said an angry Miller, “they are getting a bill for $3OOO from me. I’ve just taken two weeks off work to finish preparing to go away.” (Miller is on apprentice carpenter’s wages). “There have been all the toll calls to try to find out what’s happening; the air tickets to Wanganui every’ week-end. “Just yesterday (Thursday), I went and took out a personal loan so that I , could afford to go away; then they tell us we are not going. I’m on the point of chucking it all up.” ’ What does the road season hold for Miller, Marl- I borough’s first Olympic ‘ Games selection, oarsmen apart? “Nothing. That’s it as far as I’m concerned. The whole year, all my cycling, mucked up with just two days until we were to go.” One of MEler’s proposed officials, Wayne Thorpe, of Christchurch adopted a different attitude. “My. personal view is that I’m quite relieved at the decision, in view of all the hassles,”. , said Mr Thorpe, who was to have attended his fourth successive Games, . Olympic or Commonwealth, this time as mechanic. s " The Palmerston North Games medal prospect, Anthony Cuff, said yesterday he was disappointed “but not completely surprised” that his hopes had . been shattered. “They should have made a decision earlier and r stuck to it,” said Cuff, ' who was to ride in the one kilometre time triad.