Athletics: Future track stars get their chance

By DAVID LEGGAT


New Zealand's track and field contingent for the Athens Olympics bulged to 13 yesterday as national selector Dave Norris admitted that future potential had been an element in some selections.

All athletes had achieved at least the required B standard. Several are unlikely to make an impact, but former Olympic long and triple jump representative Norris insisted that there had to be an element of faith placed in the younger athletes.

"People have their ups and downs, and if you've got confidence you have to hang in there," he said last night. "For these younger people this is their first opportunity.

"Everybody knows they are not going to be medal contenders. Some will struggle to be final contenders, but the fact they've reached the standard and are young and their progress has been steady gives us confidence to say, 'We'll give you the nod'."

Norris was quick to add that the Olympics were not the place to be trying out inexperienced, or borderline selections.

"You never send people to the Olympics for experience. That's just not on. But when the person has enormous potential, it's a consideration that you do give."

New Zealand sent a team of nine to Sydney four years ago and 18 to Atlanta in 1996.

The five announced yesterday are spearheaded by 1500m runner Nick Willis, New Zealand's second-fastest over the distance behind John Walker.

Willis has a profile in New Zealand, but less is known about marathon runner Liza Hunter-Galvin, 800m runner Jason Stewart and national javelin champion Stuart Farquhar.

The other athlete named yesterday is 5000m runner Michael Aish, who competed in the 10,000m event at Sydney four years ago.

Norris admitted that they might not be household names, but said they deserved their opportunity.

They were not named in the initial batch of athletes in May, or the second group at the start of this month because the Athletics New Zealand selectors were not convinced they had done enough to be nominated at either point.

Stewart was seventh in the 2000 world junior final, was close to the A standard, has a best time of 1m 46.28s. "We're pretty excited by him," Norris said.

United States-based Hunter-Galvin was a track runner who headed overseas on a scholarship and disappeared, only to resurface as a road runner. She did two B standard times in quick order, with a best of 2h 36m 13s to secure a spot as New Zealand's sole woman marathon entry but is untested at the highest international level.

Hamilton thrower Farquhar nailed two B standards in winning the New Zealand and French titles, with a best of 79.68m; and Aish had posted qualifying times for 5000m and 10,000m, the spot in the longer event had already gone to John Henwood, who clocked an A standard. His best 5000m time is 13m 23.99s.

North Shore 1500m runner Adrian Blincoe has one last chance in Europe in the next few days to make the team.

* The Tall Ferns kicked off their European leadup to Athens with a 71-66 loss to Ukraine at a four-nation tournament in Krosno, Poland.

New Zealand trailed 40-29 at halftime, and fought back to close the gap to one point before fading. Megan Compain, Donna Loffhagen and newcomer Angela Marino led the New Zealand scoring with 13 points each.

Coach Tom Maher conceded that one full day to recover from the trip from New Zealand had left team members light-headed and drained. But he was disappointed to start with a loss against a team that rated below sides they will meet in Athens.

The Tall Ferns had an unfortunate trip to Krosno. After meeting in Amsterdam, they continued together to Munich. On their way to Krakow, in Poland, 16 of their bags disappeared. They play Germany this morning and Poland tomorrow.

* The Black Sticks hockey team play the first game of their European Athens leadup tonight against Germany in Mannheim.


NZ TEAM

New Zealand athletic team to Athens:

Men: Michael Aish (US) 5000m, Craig Barrett (Waikato BoP) 50km walk, Stuart Farquhar (Waikato BoP) javelin, John Henwood (Auckland) 10,000m, Jason Stewart (Hawkes Bay) 800m, Dale Warrander (North) marathon, Nick Willis (US) 1500m and Jonathan Wyatt (Wellington) marathon.

Women: Valerie Adams (Auckland) shot put, Beatrice Faumuina (Auckland) discus, Melina Hamilton (Canterbury) pole vault, Liza Hunter-Galvin (US) marathon, Kimberley Smith (US) 5000m.