The Cycling Australia (CA) Board of Management met over the weekend and reinforced its support for National Head Track Coach, Martin Barras and the Track Sprint Program. The Board reconfirmed its confidence in Barras and the program as it adopted the decision announced last Thursday by the Disciplinary Committee appointed to investigate an assault on Barras by athlete, Jobie Dajka.
"It has been a tough week or so for all involved in this process but no-one has suffered more than Martin", said CA CEO Graham Fredericks after Saturday's Board meeting. "With a predominant public focus on Dajka's health and the reasons behind the attack it was easy to overlook the trauma this has caused the individuals in the track sprint squad and the potential long-term impact this incident could have on the program.
"The Board felt it important that all the athletes, the coach and the staff involved in this program are aware they have our full and ongoing support," Fredericks added.
BMX program planned; Kilo and 500 supported
CA also takes on a new high performance program from July 1st with the inclusion of new Olympic cycling discipline BMX. A workshop with high performance personnel will take place in the next two weeks to map out the BMX program structure for the next four years.
"We are looking forward to a closer integration with BMX", said Fredericks. "They will join us along side our track, road, mountainbike, athletes with disability and junior programs in what we regard as one of the most successful high performance environments in world sport".
However, the CA board will continue to explore avenues and support others in seeking a review by the sport's international governing body, the UCI (International Cycling Union), of its decision to drop the men's kilometre and women's 500m time trials from the Olympic competition program.
