Athletics: Walker and Davies down on NZ performances

Two former Olympic athletics medal winners have criticised the New Zealand track and field team's efforts at the Sydney Games.

Former 1500m champion John Walker said on Thursday that New Zealand athletes had the wrong attitude when it came to participating in Sydney, too many seemed to think they were there just to have fun.

The comments followed poor performances from Beatrice Faumuina in the discus, Chantal Brunner in the long jump, Toni Hodgkinson in the 800m and 1500m and Tasha Williams in the hammer throw - who all failed to reach their personal bests.

Walker said the Olympic Games was the pinnacle of competition, and only those who strove to do their best warranted selection.

The Olympic Games was not about having fun or simply taking part - it was about winning, Walker said.

Earlier, New Zealand's incoming Olympic Committee chief John Davies said he believed our athletics team lacked motivation because they were too "comfortable".

The former 1500m bronze medalist questioned whether too much funding was affecting athletes' motivation, as New Zealand seemed to have a penchant for wanting to throw money at athletes by paying them salaries.

Mr Davies said athletes should only be rewarded for results, not for their potential to achieve them.

- IRN