Late-blooming Bennett Game For Beijing Tilt

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday October 16, 2007

Jessica Halloran

GREG Bennett now has $US420,000 ($467,400) in his pocket and a new will to go to the Beijing Olympics. By winning the US Open, Bennett swept a five-race series and claimed the largest pay cheque in triathlon history.

This success has caused the 35-year-old to do an Olympic about-face and reconsider competing in Beijing next year. Earlier this year, he told Triathlon Australia he had other plans and the Olympics were not a priority.

But his form prompted him to email chairman of selectors Peter Fitzgerald to ask what he needed to do to be in China next August. And even though Bennett may not be as spritely as when he first competed as a 15-year-old, he could just be the competitor Australia's Olympic team needs.

"At the end of the day, for an Olympic Games, I don't think age is relevant," Fitzgerald said. "You never knock anyone back on age if you think they are the right person. You've either got the form or you don't. Greg certainly indicated he will be back on the ITU world cup scene, and I'll let him know on behalf of the selectors on what we want him to do. Hopefully, he'll have some good results."

Bennett, who finished fourth at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, hopes his form in the recent US triathlon series translates to the upcoming ITU world cup races. He is expected to race at a world cup meeting in Cancun, Mexico, on November 3.

However, on Sunday all the Queenslander could think about was his record win and spending his money on building a house in Boulder, California, for himself and his wife Laura. She is also a talented triathlete and was recently selected for the US Olympic team.

"I came into this sport wanting to do well enough to own a home for me and Laura," Bennett said. "Now, I've reached that goal."

He also spoke about feeling anxious all week and barely sleeping a wink. Yet his sleepless lead-up didn't affect his speed.

Yesterday's record payout came from a $US60,000 ($66,700) prize for the win in Dallas, a $60,000 bonus for being the Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series champion and a $300,000 super-bonus for winning all five events.

Fellow Australian Emma Snowsill, who finished fourth in the US Open, also took home a $60,000 bonus after winning the women's division of the series, with three wins and a second.

Bennett, who has six world cup titles to his name, said it was the best season of his career so far and he is The Sydney Morning Herald's performer of the week.

"This year is the best in my 20-year career," he said.

He covered the Olympic-distance race in one hour, 44 minutes and 41 seconds to win by 21 seconds from Czech rival Filip Ospaly.

"Going in, I was concerned how far back I would be after the bike portion, but once I began the run in second place, I knew I was in great shape," he said.

"I sprinted the first two miles to try and not give anyone else hope and then just suffered in pain the rest of the way in."

He had geared his training towards peaking in the series opener, the Life Time Fitness Triathlon on July 14 in Minneapolis. Since then, he's also won the New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles triathlons.

However, Bennett has been feeling the impact of the races on his bones. "My body is not a 25-year-old body," he said. "The last three weeks, I've spent more time on massage tables than training. As you get older, you spend less time doing hard training and more time keeping your body straight."

Depending on his fitness, Bennett could just slip into the Olympic team. Two places on the men's team have already been granted, to Brad Kahlefeldt and Courtney Atkinson. One spot remains, and several top triathletes are vying for it.

"It's good to have Greg making a commitment to the ITU races," Fitzgerald said.

EVERY Tuesday, the Herald Sport team will announce our most outstanding Performer of the Week. The winner could be any Australian team or individual from a major sport. Readers will select the performers of the year by voting online in November. Until then give your feedback or selections each week on smh.com.au

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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