Kiwi brothers do their countries proud

PETER MEECHAM/Fairfax Media

BROTHERLY COMPETITION: Shane and Matthew Reed both had brief moments of glory in two separate singlets at the Olympic Games triathlon.

Relevant offers

Triathlon

Olympic stress over for Docherty Docherty celebrates win Docherty ready for London Kiwi brothers do their countries proud Docherty just needs a gold Docherty's teammate plays special role in bronze Docherty claims bronze in triathlon Warriner vows to run on in London Teamwork boosts NZers - up to a point Mum flies two flags as brothers face off

Brotherly love went on the backburner for two hours yesterday as Shane and Matthew Reed both had brief moments of glory in two separate singlets at the Olympic Games triathlon.

The pair ended the gruelling race just two places apart but with contrasting emotions at the Ming Tombs finish-line.

Matthew, 32, competed for the United States where he has lived in Boulder, Colorado for eight years with his American wife. He was deeply disappointed at his 31st place after believing he was a genuine medal contender.

New Plymouth-based Shane, 35, still sporting a white suit of New Zealand was 33rd overall. But he had the satisfaction of seeing team-mate Bevan Docherty win bronze for his second consecutive Olympic Games medal.

"That was my job today, to do a job for the team and cover guys for Bevan and Kris (Gemmell),'' Shane said after watching Docherty receive his medal.

He said he was really stoked to see his team-mate on the dais "and know I may have played a little part in helping him''.

Shane said he visited Matthew at the American team hotel on race-eve Monday to wish him well. He knew his brother would be hurting after the race - and Matthew certainly was. "I'm disappointed,'' Matthew said.

"Winning a medal was totally in my mind. To finish that far back was really discouraging, but the whole Olympics... just being here was amazing. But the expatriate Kiwi was delighted Docherty got a medal.

"Shane must have done a good job there helping him.''

The New Zealand team sat down a week ago to plot strategies.

Reed put up his hand to do the hard yards for Docherty and Gemmell and "cover off'' their key rivals, including Spanish ace Javier Gomez, who finished fourth, and Canada's silver medallist Simon Whitfield.

The tactics worked a treat with Shane leading the 55-strong field out of the water after the 1.5km swim.

Brother Matt had his turn at the head of the field after the second lap of the 40km ride.

Shane said "brotherly love'' was set aside when the duo compete against each other and he "wasn't looking for Matt'' in the race because "I was too busy watching out for others''.

They will share a beer now and Shane says they will "probably go to a few events together.''

It was a proud time in the towering temporary stands erected on the side of the reservoir's dam for the brothers' mother, Rosalie.

She was clad in a Team Reed T-shirt, supplied by the Americans, sporting a slogan saying: "Matty Reed... Go Big Guy''. But her heart was equally with Shane in the white suit of New Zealand.

"It says Team Reed, but I'm representing both boys.''

"I thought it was really good to see Shane up there after the swim because he's always been an excellent swimmer and it was also good to see Matt in front on the bike.

On a good day, Matt could have got a medal, but he does get asthma and the pollution can affect that.''

Rosalie Reed, who travelled from Australia to watch the race, was not surprised to see her sons finish close together.

"They often do, they're similar in ability.''

Shane said the brothers planned to meet up later "and probably catch a few events together'' with boxing high on the agenda.

But he "can't wait to get home and see my son''. Little Lucas, 2, has done a lot of growing while Dad has been away in Colorado and France before his big day in Beijing.

- © Fairfax NZ News