Middle-distance runner Jeff Riseley is back home in By Marc McGowan
FORMER Narre Warren little athlete Jeff Riseley is under no illusions about how the public perceives him since his disastrous Olympic debut.
Riseley, 21, was eliminated from his 1500m heat after struggling with illness – completing what was a tumultuous period for him.
He made headlines in the lead-up to Beijing when the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) elevated him into the national squad after Athletics Australia’s (AA) 4 July cut-off date.
Riseley had battled injuries and terrible luck since making his world championships debut in Japan last September.
He clocked an Olympic A-qualifying time in Rome over 1500m on 14 July – which was before the IAAF deadline – after attempting all season to qualify in the 800m.
AOC boss John Coates then overruled AA’s initial decision not to select the Knox athlete.
But a virus only a week out from Riseley’s 1500m heat in Beijing rocked his campaign.
He was bed-ridden and forced to consume a combination of vitamins, magnesium, zinc and antibiotics just to get onto the track.
Riseley arrived on race day feeling confident, but only one lap into his event he knew he was struggling.
The Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship-holder wound up running a time of 3:53.95 – almost 18 seconds outside his personal best and more than 100 metres behind the winner.
“It was hard because it was the biggest stage in the world,” he said.
“The Olympics are a chance to do something special and make a name for yourself – sink or swim.
“Unfortunately, I sank.”
Riseley has inevitably had to deal with criticism and was shattered for a long time after the race.
The 192-centimetre university student is now taking a two-week break from running to refresh from his disappointing – but still rewarding – experience.
Riseley is desperate to prove he deserved his Olympic spot and is looking ahead to what he hopes will be a successful summer – one that could bring his first national title.
“I’m looking forward to getting fit. I’ve only just scraped the boundaries of being fit,” he said.
“I train with Craig (Mottram) and I only do half of what he does. He’s an animal – he kills me.
“I’ve got a lot of improvement to do on that side of things.”
