Olympic role a step closer

STU PIDDINGTON/Timaru Herald

WOMAN IN CHARGE: Juliet Fahey is starting to make her mark in in the world of triathlons.

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Timaru's Juliet Fahey is gaining momentum in her desire to officiate at the London Olympics.

Fahey has just been appointed by the International Triathlon Union to two world-class events.

The 44-year-old is to be a technical official at the World Cup race in Sydney in April and before that will be in charge of the Oceania Triathlon Championships as technical director.

The role of technical director means she must ensure the infrastructure of the race is correct, the course is measured correctly and it is safe for competitors

"Basically there is a set of protocols and I have to ensure the local organisers had adhered to them."

In Sydney as an official she could be on the water, in transition or on the back of a motorbike ensuring the athletes are complying with the rules.

Fahey has also passed level two of the ITU officials examinations and, once she has passed level one, will be eligible to officiate at the Olympics if selected.

"My goal is London 2012 and I am fortunate to have a great mentor in New Zealand whose strength and experience is supporting what I am doing."

Also to her advantage is she is relatively young for an official already taking on key roles at big events.

Fahey was introduced to the sport through her husband Gary, who is a long-time campaigner in multi-sport events.

She was his support at many races, including several Coast to Coast events, before moving into officiating.

Fahey has also helped with the Timaru Triathlon for almost a decade but has been instrumental, along with key sponsor Mervyn Evans of Placemakers, in bringing the national round of the Contact Tri Series to Timaru.

Last year Fahey was also a technical adviser to the World Triathlon Championships on the Gold Coast and was the ITU delegate to the South Pacific Games in Rarotonga as well as being Triathlon New Zealand's "Official of the Year".

Fahey was also one of two locals to receive a Prime Minister's Scholarship to help her further develop her skills.

Fahey said her passion had grown, the more involved she has become.

"It's fun, they are all very positive people and it is a really good atmosphere."

She admitted that occasionally athletes could be confrontational when penalised but that was more through them being `totally focused and in their own little world'.

"Usually they aren't too argumentative because the time penalty doesn't start until they stop having a go."

- © Fairfax NZ News