Cycling: Ulmer went for medal despite surgery

New Zealand track cyclist Sarah Ulmer underwent surgery just days before she missed an Olympic bronze medal by only 0.08s.

Ulmer had a cyst removed in her abdominal region 11 days before the Games. It had been compressing a nerve, and she is still being treated.

The Aucklander had been determined not to use the surgery as an excuse for her performance, in which she finished fourth in the 3000m individual pursuit, so for the past month the problem has been passed off as an abdominal strain. She confirmed the operation had taken place, but would not say any more about it.



The operation is the primary reason she is not going to the world cycling championships in Manchester, England.



At the Olympics, the 24-year-old was beaten into fourth by less than a bike wheel in the pursuit and finished eighth in the points race.

Before the Games, American magazine Sports Illustrated had rated her the gold-medal favourite for the pursuit.

But she arrived at the New Zealand cycling team's base in Adelaide with what was thought to be a leg problem. When she was treated by cycling team medics it soon became apparent the problem was more severe.

She was flown to Sydney for the operation and then back to Adelaide for care.

Normally patients are laid up for three to four days before being allowed to undergo a gradual buildup to normal strength.

Track cycling coach Ron Cheatley said it had been an extremely stressful time for Ulmer.

He admitted to thinking she might not get to the start line, and said the injury and operation had cost her a medal.

"Because she could not train properly, fatigue set in on the last couple of laps and she did not steer that well. That's all that stopped her from a bronze," he said.

"She was obviously very upset but Sarah is not the type to get tearful."

- NZPA