Athletics: Putting their worst foot forward

By EUGENE BINGHAM

Were any of New Zealand's nine athletes good enough to be at the Sydney Olympics? Of course they were.

The trouble was, none of them performed at their best - most were well below it. Questions should focus on their preparation.

Several, including discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina and middle-distance runner Toni Hodgkinson, had the natural talent to at least shine in finals. None did.

Faumuina was the only member of the Kiwi team to make a final and she blew it, throwing her worst in years.

Hodgkinson made the semifinals of her favoured 800m, but choked in the final straight. She did the same in the first round of the 1500m. Ahead were two Australians she beat convincingly just last month.

Distance specialist Michael Aish - the only other Kiwi runner, given that sprinter Chris Donaldson never even got to the start because of injury - failed to live up to his promise and was lapped in his 10,000m heat, well down on his personal best.

Walker Craig Barrett did not have to prove himself on any world stage, and he decided not to, skipping any competitions until yesterday's 50km walk. He was again brave in this most gruelling of events, but was disappointed with 18th, 10 places back from where he was at last year's world championships.

In the field, Glenn Howard hid his face after clearing only one height, 2.15m, and looked nowhere near his 2.30m national record. Tasha Williams or Ian Winchester never threatened their records, either.

Chantal Brunner's long jump of 6.42m was not enough to get her to the final, as she managed in Atlanta. Afterwards, she questioned whether the requirements put on athletes to prove their fitness and ability were too tough.

Tell that to the US track and field team, whose trials were in July. Or try it on the Australians, who had to peak for their trials just last month.