I think you're omitting the most important piece of the puzzle on this - Georgia Griffith is coached by Nic Bideau who is the Athletics Australia "Middle Distance Lead" which essentially means that he's had an influence in the selection of the world champs MD team. It's unheard of for a national champion with a quality not to be selected in the team.
If it smells fishy, looks fishy and feels fishy, then hey - I might just be fishy.
Not to mention Bideau tried to sign Abbey after nationals and get her a Puma deal. Maybe if Abbey had taken that Puma deal from Nic she would have been treated "fairly".
I would think this is bad for Bideau, but he seems to somehow never be affected by scandals around his behaviour.
I really, really want to like Nic Bideau because I am a massive fan of all of his athletes. Robbo, Rayner, Stewy, Batt-Doyle, Diver, the Gregsons, Ramsden, Buckingham, Birmingham and the list goes on and on - All great athletes and good ambassadors for the sport.
The problem is everytime something like this comes up NB looks so dodgy and dirty. He's a great athlete manager and gives his runners the best opportunities to race their best, but there is absolutely no reason he should be involved with the governing body in the selection process when he has an endless number of conflicts of interest.
He clearly has no problem burning bridges too - See ex-athletes calling this out; Gusman, Mathews.
Bideau has been up to this stuff for years, this is just the first time someone's had emails to prove it. Throw in working for the national federation and managing/coaching Griffith, standard conflict of interest. Doubt anything changes though.
If this is the level he'll sink to, it certainly makes you wonder what else goes on. I can't respect any of the performances by his athletes, they are all tainted by association.
It would be good if the Australian media caught onto this story. Sure, athletics struggles for media attention and it's bad if the only attention it gets is negative. However, NB is clearly not being held accountable by those within the sport and I can only imagine that external pressure and scrutiny might finally call to light the inappropriate conlflicts of interest he creates. Especially considering Athletics Australia is mostly tax funded, this kind of boys club behaviour should be condemned.
Just think of every good athlete he's had that's left: Mottram Riseley Buckman Mathews Duncan
All high conflict exits. I wonder why?
Let's not forget the most high profile - Freeman
Of course, countless others...
Less high profile, but most recently, Andrea Seccafien left him for BTC this year due to him being a bell end apparently.
Never heard a person in track be bashed by agents, coaches, and athletes so universally and without care. Pre ban, people on the circuit would be careful with how they worded their thoughts on Alberto for example. With Bideau they'll straight up say "well he's a piece of work" or "yeah he's a bit of a bully" to your face even if you don't know the person talking that well.
Not to mention Bideau tried to sign Abbey after nationals and get her a Puma deal. Maybe if Abbey had taken that Puma deal from Nic she would have been treated "fairly".
I would think this is bad for Bideau, but he seems to somehow never be affected by scandals around his behaviour.
This has Bideau written all over it. Why that man is allowed anywhere near the national office is a disgrace.
Hmm this sets a bad precedent for attending National championships I would imagine. What's the point of showing up if running the standard and winning Nationals is not enough to get on the team?
Hmm this sets a bad precedent for attending National championships I would imagine. What's the point of showing up if running the standard and winning Nationals is not enough to get on the team?
Yeah, this is some major BS. The winner of the National Championships should be above politicking.
How the hell does that happen? Would love to hear what the Coffee Club guys have to say about this. The Aussie selection system is supposed to guarantee selection for the winner of the national champs. That leaves two slots available for shady selection decisions but the champ can assume that they are going. You can see why so many athletes love the US system where the requirements are clear to everyone - get the standard, finish in the top 3.
It's weird that that Caldwell was selected for the CWGs but not World's.
Im very interesting to hear what the Coffee Club boys have to say given Ollie Hoare had to travel from America to attend the “trials” to get his automatic qualification
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