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September 25th - Yikes that means exactly 3 months to Xmas - that means Tri
Season is just around the corner.  Time to start cranking up your training
program.
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SYDNEY SIDE VIEWS
from Tri Update Reader Craig Johns
Well its come to an end, and I am finally coming back to reality. Its a
shame that the world isn't a full time sports festival. Back in New Zealand
I can finally watch the kiwis compete. In Australia, unless you go to the
events, you don't see anything on TV apart from Australia. Which I suppose
is to be expected, at least they are winning some medals. Its great to see
Rob Waddell win this morning. With the ability to stay patient and control
his own race proved to be the winner on the day. Looking forward to an
increased medal tally by the end of the games.
My favourite event I watched would have to be the female artistic gymnastic
competition. The professionalism (oops I'm not suppose to say that am I)
with which the Romanians and Russians attacked their training routines. When
other countries are warming up doing small basic sections of their routines,
the Russians and Romanians are into full swing, making the most of every
second they have available. Being in Row four made a huge difference as I
was right in the action.
Disappointment of the games would have to be my seats at both the Swimming
and Volleyball. The volleyball was good, though I might as well have been
watching an ant race. It was a shame as you couldn't get a real picture of
how tall the athletes actually were. The swimming was good, but once again
in the rafters, and for $65 a bit of a rip off.
Most famous Olympic athletes that I got to talk to: Svetlana Khorkina, the
Russian gymnast, who won at Atlanta, but had a disappointing Sydney games on
the vault and uneven bars. The American softball pitcher, at the age of 22
she was won of the fastest pitchers at the games with a fast ball in the
high 70's mph. The New Zealand Hockey team And of course all the rowers,
canoeists, and kayakers that I tested prior to the games.
The most annoying part of the games would have to be hearing the chant:
aussie aussie aussie oie oie oie every two minutes of the games.
AN interesting moment, was watching Leighton Hewitt of Australia throwing
his toys at the tennis.
Funny moments including seeing someone being stripped of their Pepsi cans at
the security shoot on the third day. Falling asleep on the train and ending
up 35minutes north of Sydney. Getting escorted off the roof of a hotel in
Circular key after having the best seats in the house watching the Opening
Ceremony with 200,000 + other people.
Well I can certainly say to all the people who didn't attend the Olympics,
that they were missing the most amazing time you could experience. the buzz
of the Olympics is indescribable and worth the money you pay. I will be
saving my penny's for Athens in 2004 as it will be one of the best games yet
if the organisers can get their A into G.
I hope the Tri Update Readers have enjoyed reading abouty things from my
perspective
Craig Johns
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BEING AN OFFICIAL AT THE OLYMPICS - A KIWI PERSPECTIVE
by Tri Update Reader Ross Cole
Four New Zealand Technical officials were invited to officiate at the
Olympic Triathlons; Bruce Chambers, Bruce More, Phil Briars and myself. The
two Bruces were International Technical Officials while Phil and I had the
grand title of Sports Specialists. Basically our role during the race was to
prevent any infringement of the rules from occurring, and if the rules were
infringed to use our judgement if the infringement unfairly advantaged one
athlete over another. If there was an unfair advantage we were to report the
infringement to the referee.
The day before the race, Phil Briars and I were involved in uniform checks.
As there is such a huge global audience, every aspect of the logos displayed
on an athlete’s uniform and bike is strictly regulated by the IOC. We were
surprised that a lot of athletes had not realised, or if they did realise
had chosen to ignore, uniform and bike requirements. A lot of tape and felt
tip pen ink was used in covering up logos that were larger than the allowed
maximum size. From our perspective, we found it unbelievable that some teams
management or the athletes themselves had not checked out what the
requirements were prior to uniform check. To my mind this is all part of
being a professional athlete.
The Olympics were an incredible event to be part of. For all of us it was
the first time that we had been exposed to this level of organisation for a
sporting event, even though all of us had been involved in World
Championship and World Cup events. To be part of an event where there are
10,000 athletes, 80,000 volunteers helping, a large contingent of press and
of course spectators, Sydney and the Olympics seemed to cope despite what
you may have heard or read in the press. There was of course a lot of
controversy in Australia prior to the Games, about Australia’s ability to
cope with the influx of people. The fact that they have, and from our very
small part in the organisation have done it superbly well reflects great
credit on the organisation.
Triathlon as of writing this has not been assured a spot for the next
Olympiad. The criteria for acceptance in the next games are universality of
the sport and spectator appeal. The fact that no one nation dominated the
medals, despite predictions of 1, 2, 3 for the Australian women and possibly
the same for the men shows that our sport is truly an internationally
competitive sport. There probably will not be as many spectators for any
other single event as there was for the men’s race. I have heard estimates
of 250,000 people watching on the Sunday, and possibly 150,000 on the
Saturday. These numbers show that our sport does have spectator appeal. This
will present a strong case for those making the decision on Triathlons
inclusion in the next Olympic Games in Athens.
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You can show your support of the Tri Update service by  making a voluntary
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Send to Gary Boyd, River Promotions, PO Box 1237, Hamilton
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WHAT MAIN STREAM MEDIA HAVE TO SAY
The just out issue of Sports Illustrated devotes three full pages to
triathlon's Olympic debut and says 
"the event measured up to its spectacular setting with rugged open-water swims,
pack cycling [I can hear the teeth grinding] that was so tight there were
several crashes and gripping sprints to the finish line in the run".
The article begins with a two-page panorama of the women's start.
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BIKE FOR SALE
Looking for a bike that handles well, is very receptive as it climbs with
ease and provides the strength to get up and go, then do I have the bike for
you . 1999 Peugeot aluminum altec Team Line "Festina" model in striking blue
and white. This 54cm frame, with Keywin titanium pedals and Time carbon
forks, has had little use. With 9 speed Ultegra componentry and Italian
crafted gipiemme wheels. Has recently been serviced by Cyco cycle shop in
Auckland and is in very good shape. You would expect to pay $6500 for it
brand new, I am selling it for $3200 O.N.O. I will also include a softcase
bike bag for free. Don't miss this opportunity to own one of the best hand
built bikes on the market.  Phone Craig Johns (09) 521 0066 or 025 943 791
or email on congo@ihug.co.nz
Tri Update comments - And there's more - this bike was ridden by someone who
met lots of famous people at the Sydney 2000 Olympics
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
Overheard at the end of a run session
"Are you wearing a bra under your shirt?"
"No, it's a heart rate monitor."
..........
Thoughtful pause
...........
"Why, do you have a heart problem?"
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