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Olympic selection news for July 3
Tyler-Sharman will not give upTrack pursuit rider, Lucy Tyler-Sharman is continuing her struggle to gain selection in this year's Olympic Games, although it will certainly not be with Australia. Although she transferred nationalities and rode for Australia for several years, internal friction between her and the management of Cycling Australia led to her returning to the US earlier this year. She had envisioned riding at the Sydney 2000 Games in the Green and Gold, but could not resolve her differences over funding issues with the national federation. She ostensibly returned to her home in Miami to try out for the US Olympic team, due to be nominated on July 7. However, to even be eligible she needs a release from Cycling Australia (despite not possessing an Australian racing licence). CA at first did not wish to grant this, claiming that they had invested a large sum of money in training Tyler-Sharman, only to see it go to 'waste' in a rival country. A figure of $AUS 60,000 was named earlier this year as a compensatory price for their investment. Tyler-Sharman understood that if this sum was paid by her to CA, they would grant her a release. In the past few months, she has managed to raise the cash whilst training and racing in many high profile track events in the USA. At the moment, she is not named on the Olympic Long team from which the final team will be selected later this week. She has the advantage of posting faster times than the other two qualified members of the Long team in the pursuit (Erin Veenstra-Mirabella, and Megan Troxell), and will use this to try and gain a position. The issue of the release is turning out to be an exceedingly difficult obstacle to overcome. In a letter sent to her by Ray Godkin, president of CA, he stated that they were "not prepared to release her upon payment [of the $60K]," against her earlier understanding. In addition, it appeared that she would never be able to ride for any country but Australia, after UCI regulation 1.1.033 was quoted. The rule came into force in 1998, after athletes such as Matthew Gilmore and Anthony Peden had left Australia's shores to ride for other countries. CA have interpreted it to mean that because Ms. Tyler-Sharman is an Australian citizen, but does not have an Australian licence, she can not ride for another country. Time is running out for Tyler-Sharman and her lawyers, and they will have to persuade two federations that she is eligible for an Olympic team. UCI Rule 1.1.033 § 1 A rider may be selected solely by the Federation of his nationality to ride in World Championships, Continental Championships, Olympic Games and Regional Games or to make up teams participating in World Track Cup and World Cyclocross Cup events, regardless of the Federation that issued his licence. The rider shall be subject to the regulations and the discipline of the National Federation of his nationality in all matters concerning his selection for the national team. A stateless rider may be selected only by the national federation of a country where he has been continuously in residence for at least five years. § 2 A rider holding multiple nationality shall be required to choose between them on the occasion of first applying for a licence. This choice of nationality shall be final for the rider's entire career unless he loses that nationality for any reason, without prejudice to the application of the third paragraph below. The rider shall be deemed to hold the nationality thus chosen for any matter regarding the UCI regulations. Subject to the following conditions a rider may choose another nationality which he legitimately holds: 1) at the time of his initial choice of nationality the rider was a minor according to the legal system of each of the nationalities involved, and 2) if the choice is made on the occasion of his first application for a licence following the point at which he reaches the age of majority according to the legal system of each of the nationalities involved. Riders who hold a licence for 1998 shall make their choice of nationality when applying for a licence for 1999. § 3 A rider who acquires a new nationality may choose this nationality. Such a choice shall be final, and shall be made at the latest by the second application for a licence following the acquisition of the new nationality. (Amendment came into force on 1st March 1998).
Estonian Olympic team selectedEstonia's highest ranked professionals, Jaan Kirsipuu and Lauri Aus (both Ag2R) were obvious choices for the Estonian men's Olympic team announced today. They will be supported by other "Frenchmen" Janek Tombak (Cofidis), Innar Mändoja (Ag2R) and Elite2 rider Erki Pütsep (EC St-Etienne-Loire). Allan Oras from Italian amateur team Bedogni may join the Sydney squad as reserve. The team is coached by Toomas Kirsipuu, Jaan's older brother. At the end of the 80's, Toomas was riding for Kelme and was amongst the first ex-USSR riders allowed to become a pro. Dual national champion in 2000, Lauri Aus is Estonia's sole competitor in the Olympic time trial. The Estonian team for the road race: Jaan Kirsipuu (b.
July 17, 1969) - 24th in Atlanta RR 1996 Reserve: Allan Oras (Dec. 20., 1975) - First Olympics
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