Nicolas Macrozonaris statement regarding funding denial:

"A few days ago Athletics Canada released its funding list for the 2005-2006 season.  I was surprised not to see my name on either the regular or medical application categories.

Apparently Athletics Canada did not accept the time I ran in Mexico on May 21.  My request for a medical category card was denied as well.  It is a matter of record that I was injured for most of the season following that Mexico race, and only ran in 3 other competitions the rest of the summer.  Documents to that effect were submitted with my funding application.  My fans were also kept updated of my injury status on my website. 

Athletics Canada, in guiding the sport of Athletics in our country, must be, at the top, staffed largely with people who are unaware of how little they know, or, by people who simply do not care.  On the other hand, it may simply be payback for my prior outspokenness about qualifying standards and other issues.

I am forced to speculate and draw my own conclusions because no one at Athletics Canada has contacted me to discuss this.  What I do know is that regardless of the decision in this case, it feels, as it would for any athlete I am sure, like my country has let me down.  I must now devote energies to the charade known as the appeals process, taking away from my work for the upcoming season. 

I want my fans to know that I have proudly represented my country since Day 1, in the Olympic Games, World Championships and other international competitions.  I will continue to do so, and will continue to remain outspoken, regardless of the outcome of this process."

In a development worthy of an "X-Files" episode, Nicolas Macrozonaris has set up a training base in Ottawa and will be coached by Canadian track legend Glenroy Gilbert.  

Foes only two years ago when a relay team rift got Macrozonaris benched at the Paris World Championships - a Gilbert decision - the most improbable of allies have come together in pursuit of a common goal: getting Nicolas back to the form that propelled him to international prominence in 2002-2003, when he ran the best all around times of his career.

Recovered from the injuries that plagued Macrozonaris for most of the past two years, the duo's challenge is being ready for the world indoor championships in Moscow in early March as well as the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne a couple weeks after that.  Of critical importance will be the early season base training that will go a long way in carrying Nicolas through the grueling months of the season, something he, due to injury, has not been able to fall back on the last two years.  

A member of at least ten Olympic and World teams including three gold medal championships at those events, Gilbert is as valuable an addition to the Macrozonaris coaching team as they come.  Long time coach Daniel St-Hilaire will remain involved and continue to advise Nicolas on a regular basis.  With Montreal only a 2 hour drive away, Macrozonaris will have top-notch coaching expertise available to him 24/7 whether in Ottawa or during his trips back to Montreal.

Travel away from home over extended periods of time is arguably one of the toughest parts of any job.  Some do just fine while others find it disruptive as the ebb and flow of what they are used to is altered.  But with a global cell phone on one hand and the world-wide-web a click of the mouse away on the other, little portable modern world habitats of wisdom and inspiration, so to speak, today's globe-trotting athlete whilst miles away from home can, at the very least, stay connected with friends and family in real time. 

So if the real Nicolas Macrozonaris or Glenroy Gilbert is out there, somewhere, can you please phone, email or text message home???

galako62904@yahoo.com