January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Triathlon ‘team’ heads out for Commonwealth Games
Shorn of the services of Jamie Brown as well as twins Riaan and Evan Naude thanks to a controversial rule change and with Flora Duffy flying in independently from the U.K., the team numbered just one — Karen Smith.
Smith said she felt for the missing athletes.
“It’s really heart-breaking for them. I hope no-one has to go through that again. It would have been great to have those guys on the team and it would have added a separate dimension with the support levels we would have given each other.
“But me and Flora will be there for each other and we'll be doing out best.”
Brit Brown and the South African Naudes as well as Canadian cyclist Lynn Patchett were cut from the Games squad because of a new rule which deemed all competitors had to have nationality status in the country for which they were competing.
Smith, who is also a Brit, was excused because of a clause allowing athletes who have competed for a country in the Games before, to continue to do so.
Last time out in Manchester, Smith finished a creditable 15th.
But she has improved in the last four years and recorded personal bests in the event over the past 12 months.
“I’d love to be able to improve on that standing. It obviously depends on the other people that are there but I am fitter and stronger than I was at the last games so it is exciting to be able to see what I can do.
“I’ve got some experience and I've prepared as best I can so I'm going to do the best I can.”
Smith will meet up with Duffy and her coach on Saturday and the pair will have a week to acclimatize and get used to the 14-hour time difference before the event next weekend.
Team-manager Steven Petty said the controversy of the build-up to the games was in the past.
“There’s not much we can do about that now. It’s unfortunate the three guys couldn’t make it but we are going to go and give it our best.”
He said the competition would be stiff with the Australians, the New Zealanders and the Brits boasting the world's best. But he said Smith had all but matched them in Manchester and both athletes had the ability to do well this time.
“They are certainly under no illusions that they are going to win a medal but I think they will both give a good account of themselves.”
He said Duffy was up there with the best of the world in the swim and would be at the front of the pack following the first leg of the triathlon.
But he said the games would be more of a learning experience for teenager Duffy, who he sees as an outstanding prospect for the future.
“She’s just 18 in a sport where you don’t hit your peak till between 26 and 28 so she’s got a lot more to give in the future.
“We are putting this down to a good experience but she may just surprise a few people,” he added.
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