NATIONAL cyclist Christopher Sellier believes he can still qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in London, England.
At a recent press conference at the Levels Restaurant and Bar, Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, Sellier said although his season had been hampered by the flu and his inability to source funding to go abroad for training, he can still qualify for the Olympic Games by just winning at the forthcoming World Championship scheduled for April 4-8 in Melbourne, Australia.
“Mathematically, qualifying for the Olympic is as simple as winning the World Championship. But the problem is determining if that is practically possible and the answer to that is no” Sellier said.
He told the media gathering “I can go to the championship and ride but it is not as if the other cyclists will allow me to win easily. They have all invested time and money and will be hoping to qualify for the Olympics or warm-up with the best in the world.” He called on the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) to put their house in order if they want to ensure that local cyclists perform credibly at the international level.
Sellier who failed to show in what was expected to be a showdown between himself and cycling ace Njisane Phillip in the match-sprint at the National Championship at Arima Velodrome a few months ago, told the federation that they cannot expect a rider to perform at the top level at facilities like the Velodrome and others we have in TT. He made it clear, “We cannot expect to train in old facilities and expect the best from riders. It just does not and cannot work that way.”
Sellier, who was ranked number #1 in the Pan American region in the Kilometre Time Trial, expressed dissatisfaction with his inability to gain funding and reminded the federation that the country is blessed with a lot of natural talent and a proper structure will ensure that there will be more cyclists qualifying for the Olympics and doing well on the international stage.
By Walter Alibey
Source: www.newsday.co.tt