I also think that NZ administrators need to understand the seriousness of our situation and stop bickering about things, get on the same page and get things done. In your question you use the words those days, unfortunately it seems as if those days are still here. I was never addressed as a promising junior and consequently never was afforded any of the opportunities as rare as those may have been. We need a system in affect that identifies talent and then offers programs that will aid in the development of the individual. Obviously my inept performance at the Olympics overshadowed my Olympic experience.
Nobody goes to the Olympics and wants to perform poorly.
I don't mean to justify poor performances, as their causes are as individual as the events at which they compete but the public and most of the media really don't understand. People don't try to fail that is not human nature we all try to do our best. The rest of the Olympics was great the fanfare the people and the opening ceremonies were awesome a once in a lifetime deal. I guess that I learnt that you must continue to do what you had been doing and have a plan and stick to it no matter what occurs around you. You have run one of the fastest miles ever by a kiwi especially in the last 10 years, tell us about this run and some of your other big results.