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The harsh realities of modern-day athletics hit home last weekend with competitors as young as seven being disqualified from sprint races for false starts at the Colgate Games.
The new rules, designed to stop deliberate false starts, were introduced to top events across the world in 2010, and have caught out big stars, including Usain Bolt at the last World Championships 100m final.
Many parents were critical at the adoption of the hard line false start rules for children as young as seven, many of whom were reduced to tears at the Tauranga Domain event.
Boos rang around the ground, but some coaches see this as a necessary path to achieve world domination and a substantial fortune for their sporting tyros.
As a result, local athletics coaches are introducing a new regime to kids training aimed at preparing them for the tough road ahead.
What used to start with fitness, now concentrates on the real issues – pleasing the sponsors and handling the media.
 This week’s ‘Spot the Sponsor’ competition. |
Six-year-old Herla Shott explained: “I’m up at six in the morning and get my mouth ready for the day with a good brush to nail that plaque.”
“A drink of ‘Up-‘n-At-‘Em’ energy boost formula sets my sugar levels buzzing, which is just as well, as I have a training session with my media coach at 7.30.
“I’m kinda getting those lines better each day.
“I need a little more work on my ‘this is my time’ line, but I have a really good, tearful ‘I’ve worked four years for this moment’.”
Herla added: “We also have random product placement checks while training or competing to make sure no rogue brands have been slipped in our bags.”
“It would be sporting suicide to be seen with the wrong personal hygiene product at my age, sponsors would run a mile.”
At that she trotted off for a tough workout with her PR agent.
Rumours that spectators would be breath tested at the gate for traces of competitor’s toothpaste or breath freshener proved groundless, as were fears that all food and drink would be confiscated, leaving the field clear for sales of approved ‘healthy option’ burgers, bangers, cola and beer.
Posted on 23-01-2012 12:43 | By andyb
Considering only one paper are reporting it to be a rumor. Food vendors had been confirmed and would not have been hard to find out if they were selling "approved healthy food* If Herla Shott (cant see her in my book so far) is only 6 then she wouldnt have been able to compete at colgate as it was for 7-14 grades. What 6 year old even speaks like that??