Cycling: Miller threatens legal action over Olympic snub

By CHRIS RATTUE

Veteran cyclist Graeme Miller threw a shroud of controversy over the Olympic squad announcement yesterday, saying he was considering legal action over his omission from the road team.

Miller said from the United States that he was dumbfounded by his exclusion from the four-man road race team, which comprises French-based Chris Jenner, Julian Dean, who is based in Spain, American-based Glen Mitchell, and Scott Guyton, who rides in Belgium.

The 39-year-old Miller said he had met all the criteria set down by Cycling New Zealand and the Olympic association.

Miller, who is competing in the United States, missed out on the 1996 Atlanta Olympic team but was gunning for his fourth Olympic appearance at the Sydney event.

"I intend to take legal action to have a third party objectively look at why I am not part of the team," he said.

National selector Graham Sycamore hinted this week that there might be doubt over Miller's ability to contribute to the team.

Miller hit back yesterday, saying that in the past he had often been the best-rated rider, so naturally others in the team had worked for him.

Miller said he had done well in criteria events, including winning a stage and a sprint jersey in the Tour of Japan.

"I have, with New Zealand teams, been in a position where I had the better results and people had to work for me. Is that a sin?" said Miller, who believes he may be the victim of age discrimination., "Julian Dean and Chris Jenner, with their results with their professional teams - there's no denying them their places. But after them, my results are far superior to anyone else's. I just can't believe it.

"I'm 39 and this was my last goal. I feel like mentally and physically I've pushed the barrier - tried to do things that people think age limits them in. I think I have stepped over that barrier and proved to people age is not the limit."

The Olympic squad is headed by 1999 world championship medallists Anthony Peden, who won silver, and Sarah Ulmer, who won bronze. Ulmer also won gold and silver medals at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

The team also includes 1992 Olympic bronze medallist Gary Anderson, who joins Lee Vertongen, Tim Carswell, Greg Henderson and Brendon Cameron in the teams pursuit.

One rider will act as a back-up in the four-man event, while one of the five will be selected later to compete in the individual pursuit.

Commonwealth Games road cycling silver medallist Susy Pryde will compete in the road race and mountain-bike events.

Men.-

Track: Anthony Peden (Wanganui), keirin, sprint; Gary Anderson (Wanganui), Lee Vertongen (Palmerston North), Tim Carswell (Christchurch), Greg Henderson (Dunedin), Brendon Cameron (Hamilton) team pursuit; Matthew Sinton (Auckland) kilo, keirin; Glen Thompson (Dunedin) points race.

Road: Chris Jenner (France-based), Julian Dean (Spain-based), Glen Mitchell (Hamilton), Scott Guyton (Rotorua) road race.

Mountain bike: Kashi Leuchs (Dunedin).

Women.-

Track: Sarah Ulmer (Auckland) points race, individual pursuit; Fiona Ramage (Christchurch) 500m, sprint.

Road: Susy Pryde (Auckland), Jacinta Coleman (Auckland), Rosalind Reekie-May (Morrinsville) road race.

Mountainbike: Pryde.

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