Brent Newdick wants to show Athletics New Zealand they are wrong by qualifying for the Olympics. Photo / File
Tauranga's world-class decathlete Brent Newdick is refusing to let a funding crisis stop him qualifying for next year's Rio Olympics.
Injuries have curtailed Newdick's career over the past two years but Athletics New Zealand's decision to cut all funding came as a shock to the 30-year-old, who finished 12th at
the London Olympics and won silver at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the most demanding of all events.
"They said because I didn't do anything in the last year due to injury, there is no funding at all, even though I am probably one of only 10 athletes that have a chance realistically of making the team next year," Newdick said. "But they are saying I am nowhere near that."
Newdick was injured after the London Olympics and took 18 months to come right after the original injury was misdiagnosed. Once back to full fitness, Newdick competed at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow but suffered a freak injury during the high jump competition.
"The first few events were really good, then unfortunately I ripped a tendon off the back of my heal in the high jump. If I had finished that competition there would have been no problem with funding. It is annoying, as I know I will qualify for the Olympics this year but if I had funding to get the right training and eat the right food, that is the difference for me getting 12th again or even coming top three.
