'Brutal' to deny Houvenaghel gold

Published Monday, 06 August 2012

Wendy Houvenaghel has described the decision to deny her a gold medal with the Great Britain cycling team as "brutal".

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After taking silver at Beijing four years ago, the Co Londonderry cyclist was hoping to go one better in London in the women's team pursuit.

But half an hour before the final on Saturday, Houvenaghel found out she had not been picked for the three-strong lineup, much to her surprise and disgust.

"I just feel bitterly disappointed," she told UTV.

I feel that Northern Ireland and I have lost the gold medal because of one man's decision
Wendy Houvenaghel

"I was led to believe that again I would be riding in the final and up to 30 minutes to go I was riding in the final and that opportunity was taken away from me in 10 seconds from the head coach who just said 'you're not riding' and there went Northern Ireland's Olympic gold."

Houvenaghel was one of four members of the Team GB squad alongside Dani King, Laura Trott and Jo Rowsell.

She would have received a medal had she taken part in any round leading up to the final.

"It was very brutal," Wendy continued. "Getting yourself ready physically and mentally to take part in an Olympic final is something that you don't learn overnight.

"I was in the zone and ready to go, fully prepared for the race then suddenly there was no race. This goal has been one I've worked on over the last six years."

The 37-year-old said she will now consider her future in the sport, but added: "I'm reluctant to let this be the last experience I have on my bike.

"I'm reluctant to make any rash decisions now."

Comments

18 Comments

big c in falls wrote (284 days ago):

get over it you weren't good enough to be picked

jackie in belfast wrote (285 days ago):

Sad for Wendy not to be chosen but the coach could only pick 3 girls and by the looks of it he got it spot on.Don,t play the "I didn,t get picked cos i,m from Northern Ireland" card.Go give the girls a hug say well done and get over it.

Alan Anderson in Belfast wrote (285 days ago):

Yes Andy, I also wonder why a good portion of NI bother with loyalty to the crown and GB. Its apparent in many, many more arenas than sport that GB doesnt give a monkeys about NI.

"fra" I think your comment a bit cynical and not based in fact for a relative country of Irelands size and population, our Olympians have batted well above our weight. And as you can tell also by the fact the majority of Northern Olympians have competed for Team Ireland in London 2012. Its blatantly apparent what went on with Wendy and Team GBs treatment of her is schocking. I would imagine that unionists will probably ignore the fact she was overlooked by Team GB because she was from our Island(Ireland), not because of a sporting decision. I feel hugely sorry for this fantastic athlete who is at the top of her game and I cannot convey my condolences enough.

Steffan in Belfast wrote (285 days ago):

GB and NI were obviously one of the favourites to win this event, so I feel it would have been easy enough for the coach to put Wendy into one of the heats which, even though it is the Olympics, he could assume they should win comfortably. And even that is a bit condescending as Wendy is just as capable as the other 3 riders according to the stats. But at least she would have raced and been eligible for a medal. Saying that, she wasn't chosen to ride and it was her decision to walk out of the venue. She can complain and call the other girls juvenile for not contacting her, but perhaps they feel the same way about her. Despite being bitterly disappointed she should have stayed and watched the race and congratulated her team mates on their success. As a team member she should have been in the velodrome to be with her team mates and know in her own heart that the cheers and support was for her too.

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