Olympics: London streets not paved with gold for also-rans

Sophie Devine. Photo / Martin Seras Lima

The Kiwis who compete at the Olympics are shown beaming from our TVs but what about the pain of those who missed out? Russell Blackstock reports.

Gutted double international Sophie Devine will reluctantly travel to the Olympics as a spectator after narrowly missing the cut for the Black Sticks.

The 22-year-old made 66 appearances for the White Ferns before taking a break from cricket to join the elite New Zealand women's hockey squad.

However, her Olympic dream died when she was told she hadn't made the travelling team. Instead, her family have coaxed her to fly to London with them to watch from the stands.

"I wasn't too keen initially because I didn't fancy being at the Games and not be involved," Devine, from Christchurch, said.

"I thought it would be too hard to take but my mum has persuaded me to go. At first, not being selected was difficult and you go through a roller-coaster of emotions. But I had to accept it and ... a medal is definitely not out of reach for the team."

Devine will now return to cricket and is expected to be ushered back into the White Ferns squad in September. She will also concentrate on studying for a degree in landscape design.

Devine hasn't given up on being a Black Stick at the next Games, in 2016.

"It is an awful lot of hard work and sacrifice but in four years' I hope to be in the same position, but this time make the team."

* * *

Sailboarder Tom Ashley is philosophical about watching the Olympics on the telly instead of defending his gold medal. Aucklander Ashley triumphed in Beijing in 2008 in the RS:X class. He also won the World Championships the same year.

But a combination of injury and poor form ruled the 28-year-old out this time, Ashley said. "Whether that is a sign I've hit a tough patch or that my career should be over, it's hard to say."

* * *

Triathlete Debbie Tanner will push herself to the limit training at altitude in the United States instead of going to the Olympics.

Tanner, 20, finished 10th in Beijing in 2008 but was named as a reserve this time. "Not to qualify has been pretty soul-destroying and I won't be going forward to 2016," Tanner said.

* * *

Middle-distance runner Nikki Hamblin will be recovering from injury in Michigan, US, instead of representing New Zealand. Hamblin, 24, won silver in both the 800 and 1500m at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

But an Achilles tendon ruled her out of the Olympics.

* * *

Sprint cyclist Sam Webster reckoned it will be torture being in London as a reserve but not eligible to compete.

Webster, 20, from Auckland, will have access to training but won't stay in the Olympic Village. "I have to be ready and I still have hope for a call-up," he said.