Triathlon: Costly online baiting

Clark Ellice will now have to compete with a lot less funding. Photo / APN

The Olympic and career ambitions of the country's second-ranked male triathlete, Clark Ellice, are in jeopardy following his dismissal from Triathlon New Zealand's (TNZ) high-performance programme.

The 27-year-old was dismissed after several breaches of the sport's code of conduct. TNZ gave written warnings to him after a number of his emails and postings on Facebook were deemed abusive, aggressive and unprofessional. Ellice also stood accused of disrupting fellow athletes late at night during a training camp in Boulder, Colorado - something he denies. TNZ also claims Ellice broke protocol aiding a foreign athlete in races at London and Kutzbuhel (Austria).

TNZ chief executive officer Dave Beeche says they had little choice: "The decision was made in October. The Facebook posting was the final straw but there were a number of incidents over the last six months; they were ongoing, systematic breaches of the code of conduct.

"We accept athletes have the right to use Facebook but it was creating a cultural problem in the programme. The feedback from athletes was unanimous and the high-performance environment needs them to have the best possible support. Clark now has to apply for re-admission."

Ellice has shown remorse but remains adamant about his right to express a view.

"I have received a rap over the knuckles for breaking my athlete's contract. I breached it three or four times so I'm currently on a six-month stand-down [until April] with my [Sparc] funding removed while I try to be a good boy. I'm still doing my thing outside the national squad.

"I said there was favouritism in the national squad the way head coach Greg Fraine goes about selection. I still don't regret anything; a lot of it was spoken from the heart. I could have been more diplomatic but I've let my sponsors know, and most are sticking with me.

"Fraine provides a great overview but he's the personal coach of two athletes in the national squad - Martin van Barneveld and Kate McIlroy. Then Tom Brazier, TNZ's swim coach, is coaching Tony Dodds. I think that presents a conflict of interest, even though we're a small country that has to utilise resources as best we can."

Ellice considered disputing the decision but will soldier on without access to TNZ resources and Sparc-based income.

"I just want to let my actions do the talking. The decision will penalise me anywhere between $1200 and $1500 a month. That leaves quite a hole until April which means I'm doing more events close to home after chopping my budget for flights and accommodation.

"I'm starting with the Tauranga half ironman [on January 8] and have committed to events in Mooloolaba [March 27] and Sydney [April 10]. I'm relying on $50,000 in personal sponsorship to keep me going.

"Even Hamish Carter and Bevan Docherty have spoken out at times in the past. It's a sign of a true champion when you have to make your own way, so I'll do that for the time being."

Ellice has recruited former Olympic gold medallist Carter as a mentor and says he will help him psychologically.

Ellice's coach Jack Ralston admits his charge needed to front with a mea culpa, but says the athlete code of conduct is overly strict.

"With Tri NZ you could break wind in public and get fined. Clark was silly and wasn't thinking about what he wrote. I can see what caused it, but most would not have responded as he did. A six-month suspension is probably fair.

"Clark handled the meeting [with TNZ] really well. He admitted it [his wrongs] in front of them but I've told him he can't afford to leave himself borderline when it comes to Olympic selection."

That is because TNZ has a discretion clause in its policy to pick a third [or second] member of a team purely to help a potential medallist - like the Nathan Richmond [2004] and Shane Reed [2008] selections of the past. That means Ellice needs to prove he can be a medallist, rather than Docherty or Gemmell. Under-23 world championship silver medallist Ryan Sissons, youth Olympic gold medallist Aaron Barclay and up-and-comer Tony Dodds have already been touted as potential wildcards.

Ellice was the best Kiwi finisher at September's final world championship series event in Budapest. He finished 18th but suffered a 15s penalty at the end of the swim leg for randomly dropping his goggles. He was 12th by the time he started his penalty on the run and lost six further places.

Ellice is ranked 32nd in the world, behind Docherty (19th) but ahead of Kris Gemmell (41st). Ellice currently has the best ranking of the Kiwis (36th) on Olympic qualification points but has raced four of his six possible qualifying races up until May 31, 2011 whereas Gemmell (49th) has raced two and Docherty (71st) one.

NZ can only qualify two male athletes for London.