Jongewaard set to appeal decision

Max Bennett

01Jul08

CENTRALIAN Chris Jongewaard's considering appealing the decision that has left him out of the 2008 Olympic squad.

Jongewaard was the highest-placed Australian rider at last weekend's world titles in Italy, finishing 29th, three places ahead of Beijing-bound Dan McConnell, but was not one of the two mountain bike riders nominated for an Olympic team spot by Cycling Australia.

Jongewaard has until today to lodge an appeal to the Australian Olympic Committee, who must approve all nominations before athletes can become official members of the Australian Olympic team.

The rider said he was weighing up his options and has sought legal advice regarding his non-selection.

This is not the first time Jongewaard has missed out on Olympic selection after going through the heartbreak of being named and then dumped for the 2004 Athens games.

After being included in the squad for the games four years ago, the Red Centre star was controversially replaced by Josh Fleming after Fleming appealed Jongewaard's selection.

The disappointment of missing out on the games comes after what has been a testing 12 months for the Centralian.

He was charged with aggravated assault, causing harm by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident following an incident with training partner Matthew Rex.

It was alleged that Jongewaard struck Rex while driving at Normanville, south of Adelaide, in February of last year.

Police allege Jongewaard had a blood alcohol reading of .094 at the time of the incident.

Jongewaard appeared in District Court  in April pleading not guilty to the charges.