Aussie team chief slams sprinter's threat to quit
Source: AFP |
July 26, 2012, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AUSTRALIA team chief Nick Green has dismissed a quit threat from sprinter Josh Ross over selection policy and told him to get on with competing at the London Olympics.
Ross, 31, a member of Australia's 4x100 meters relay team, threatened to abandon the London Games if he did not receive an explanation as to why his federation had not nominated him for the 100m individual event. "I'm actually thinking about pulling out all together if I don't get answers," Ross told The Sydney Morning Herald. "I'll actually be happy to pull out if I don't get answers to why I wasn't nominated for the 100m."
Chef de Mission Green was unimpressed with the runner's quoted comments and urged Ross to knuckle down and concentrate on competing for his country.
"It's up to (Athletics Australia) to handle the selection of (their) team. Their selection policy has been in play for many years before the Olympic Games start and every athlete knows everything about it," Green said. "If an athlete has an issue with their selection they have the appropriate processes of appeals and every athlete is given that opportunity of appeal.
"In the case of Josh Ross there was no appeal made. He had the option of making the appeal and he didn't and I'm unsure why he is bringing it up on the eve of competition. It's time for athletes to knuckle down and get on with the job."
Ross's grievance comes after Australia's Commonwealth Games 400m champion John Steffensen claimed this week he was racially abused by an AOC staff member in Beijing four years ago. Steffensen was overlooked for an individual 400m spot that went instead to Steve Solomon.
Ross, 31, a member of Australia's 4x100 meters relay team, threatened to abandon the London Games if he did not receive an explanation as to why his federation had not nominated him for the 100m individual event. "I'm actually thinking about pulling out all together if I don't get answers," Ross told The Sydney Morning Herald. "I'll actually be happy to pull out if I don't get answers to why I wasn't nominated for the 100m."
Chef de Mission Green was unimpressed with the runner's quoted comments and urged Ross to knuckle down and concentrate on competing for his country.
"It's up to (Athletics Australia) to handle the selection of (their) team. Their selection policy has been in play for many years before the Olympic Games start and every athlete knows everything about it," Green said. "If an athlete has an issue with their selection they have the appropriate processes of appeals and every athlete is given that opportunity of appeal.
"In the case of Josh Ross there was no appeal made. He had the option of making the appeal and he didn't and I'm unsure why he is bringing it up on the eve of competition. It's time for athletes to knuckle down and get on with the job."
Ross's grievance comes after Australia's Commonwealth Games 400m champion John Steffensen claimed this week he was racially abused by an AOC staff member in Beijing four years ago. Steffensen was overlooked for an individual 400m spot that went instead to Steve Solomon.
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