Highjump: Carefree Aussie stays in spotlight

By EUGENE BINGHAM

Superman tattoo on one arm, long black hair flying behind, Jai Taurima cuts a distinctive figure as he dashes down the track and leaps into the sandpit.

It is not just his athletic prowess or his looks that keeps Jumping Jai in the spotlight.

The Australian record-holding long jumper has a knack for being outrageous and a habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Taurima, a self-proclaimed lover of chocolate and extreme sports, last landed in hot water several weeks ago when he claimed "dark" athletes coming to compete in Sydney would struggle with the cold.

The comment caused controversy and no doubt gave rival jumpers the motivation they needed.

There is no point dismissing the 28-year-old as a loud-mouth Aussie, though: Taurima is half Maori.

His Dad, Floyd, hails from Nuhaka on the East Coast though he moved to Australia in his youth where he met Taurima's mum.

In true Kiwi style, Taurima grew up playing rugby until the gangly Queensland kid suffered too many broken bones and opted for a career on the track.

The 188cm skateboard and motorcycle nut has soared into Olympic medal contention with outstanding international performances, including a fourth place in last year's world championships. His performances have marked a comeback from major disappointment before the 1996 Games.

Taurima was taken to the United States with the Australian team, but needed to secure his place with a qualifying jump. Despite a hamstring tear, he had a go on a rainy Atlanta night weeks before the Games began.

He missed out by centimetres and was sent home, a shattering blow which nearly forced him out of athletics.

Luckily, coach Craig Hilliard had other ideas and convinced Taurima that with natural speed and "springiness," he was made for long-jumping.

Hilliard prompted Taurima to stop going to the pub and start spending more time at the track.

"I'm very happy with his level of training and what he has got through with his training," said Hilliard.

"His performance at the world champs gave him a lot of confidence and a lot of heart."

Taurima broke down and cried at the Australian national track and field trials when he realised he had made the team.

"It was an emotional release," said Hilliard. "All the disappointment of 96 came flooding back to him and though he was confident of making the team, when he finally did, he had a bit of a cry and hugged me."

Taurima's new attitude to training has not curtailed his rebellious streak.

In his own words: "Call me an elite athlete if you wish but I'm not sure whether I fit that bill."

Last year, he had a Superman-style "S" tattooed on his arm and he is determined to go base-jumping, though wiser minds have urged him to wait until after the Games. And no one can stop him smoking a packet of cigarettes a day.

Hilliard believes Taurima's carefree attitude to life helps him deal with competition.

That attitude does not keep him out of trouble. Since his comments about "dark" competitors not handling the conditions, Taurima has been kept away from the media.

Taurima stood in the background helping Hilliard out with answers during the Herald interview with his coach.

One thing is for sure: if Taurima lands on the medal dais, there will be no shutting him up.