KEY POINTS:
Marathon runner Liza Hunter-Galvan has been thrown an Olympic lifeline after the Sports Tribunal yesterday upheld an appeal over her non-selection for the Beijing Games.
But, as Hunter-Galvan puts it: "I'm on third base, but I'm not home yet."
The tribunal found the nomination criteria had not been properly followed by the Athletics New Zealand selectors and has referred the matter back to the national body to reconsider the 38-year-old's nomination.
Athletics NZ was yesterday still digesting the tribunal's decision and chief executive Scott Newman said that over the next 48 hours it would be "considering the appropriate actions and processes to follow".
Although Hunter-Galvan was well inside the qualifying standard of the endurance event, Athletics NZ said she lacked consistency at major championships. But the tribunal found there should have been "further inquiry into the circumstances of Hunter-Galvan's performances at the Athens Olympics, Helsinki World Champs and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games".
It means another anxious wait for the United States-based runner, who admitted she was "a little bit scared to find out" the tribunal's verdict.
Though "in her wildest dreams" she had hoped the tribunal would recommend her selection, Hunter-Galvan believes its decision is the most appropriate approach.
"I think the tribunal has made a decision that favours both parties in that they've kind of brought to light some things that weren't considered."
Throughout the lengthy appeals process, Hunter-Galvan has carried on with her training under the assumption that she will be lining up for the marathon in Beijing.
"I've been definitely keeping my training going - I wouldn't want that to falter."
She has just done two weeks altitude training in Flagstaff, Arizona, a useful distraction from the legal wrangles playing out back home. Virtually cut off from the outside world, Hunter-Galvan's biggest concern was encountering mountain lions and other strange wildlife during her runs.
Tomorrow she hopes to compete in a half-marathon in Minnesota, where she has linked up with fellow Kiwi Michael Aish, who also failed to gain an Olympic nomination in the marathon, despite meeting the qualifying standard. Aish chose not to appeal.
But Hunter-Galvan must first get Athletics NZ approval to run the event.
