Guinness says that "Australia's world-beating track cycling squad has a target of four gold medals for the Olympic Games at Atlanta in June. After presenting a 15-strong Olympic squad at the final day of the national track titles in Perth yesterday, national coach Charlie Walsh said Australia was sending its finest ever squad to the Games."
Walsh said "This is the most talented team we have ever sent away. We are not getting over-confident. But that obviously means we are setting the pace. And so long as we continue to work hard I certainly believe we can win gold medals in each of this events in Atlanta."
The events in question are the men's kilo, sprint, team pursuit and points events. Walsh did not think he was putting too much pressure on his riders by listing a public medal target. He said "It is something that I considered some time ago. For our sport we need to be upfront, rather than hiding. Certainly there will be pressure on our coaching staff and the management of the athletes, though."
Guinness says that "while line-ups are yet to be confirmed, the main bone of contention discussed by everyone yesterday concerned selection for the women's indiv. pursuit. Judging by the results at the national titles, Victorian squad member and 1992 Olympic Games road race champion Kathy Watt is Australia's strongest bet for the event. Watt, who also won the silver medal in the pursuit at Barcelona, set an Australian record in her qualifying round of the national pursuit title in Perth last week."
"And poignantly, en route to winning her final, she lapped defending champion and fellow Olympic squad member, WA's Lucy Tyler-Sharman who is her main rival for selection in the pursuit. Supporting Watt's case yesterday was Australian Cycling Federation president Ray Godkin."
Godkin said "After watching Kathy's superb ride she has to be considered a good chance for another gold medal. Her time of 3 m 38.24 s in qualifying was the second fastest pursuit ever at sea level. And it was only two seconds outside the world record which was set at high altitude."
Walsh was not guaranteeing that Watt would be selected for the event. He said "At this point in time, Kathy would be the front runner. However, as long as I am running at team, no one will ever have an automatic right." Walsh has had some noted disputes with Watt in the past.
The Olympic track squad will be cut on May 12 after its first training camp in Germany. The final team will be announced by the ACF on June 2.
Darryn Hill (WA) Lucy Tyler-Sharman (WA) Gary Neiwand (Vic) Shane Kelly (Vic) Kathy Watt (Vic) Brett Aitken (SA) Bradley McGee (NSW) Michelle Ferris (Vic) Stuart O'Grady (SA) Tim O'Shannessy (SA) Luke Robert (SA) Dean Woods (Vic) Luke Kuss (SA) Tim Lyons (SA) Matthew Meaney (SA)