Who else has seen the article in the RAF News then? Andy Reardon aiming for the 2012 Olympic team! WTF?

Whilst I doubt that Andy will make the 2012 tri team let's not get into a witch hunt on this! I do wonder what he was thinking when he made the statement but suspect that he is trying to attract sponsors. Not too chuffed about people asking me about this RAF guy going for the Olympics because I will not lie to anyone about the possibility of that hapening.

True, we do need to ensure that all RAF Tri publicity goes through the correct channels - our publicity committee member, 'Iron' Frank - but Andy is still one of us. There are some glaring factual errors in the article and that alone is sufficient to tighten up our press release process.

Let's leave Andy's races to do the talking. . . Or not

Fair point Sags but it is a bold claim.

Good points Sags, but I doubt very much that this particular article would ever have crossed the 'desk' of the RAF Tri publicity member.....if you catch my drift.

I notice that the RAF website article is now talking about top-10 at Clearwater (AG) when his website states top-5; so he's clearly becoming more realistic about his chances over the 70.3 dist at least Still, I remain mesmerised by those cute 'staring over coffee cup' shots.

I also noticed the Mal Rose article in RAF News said 112km instead of 112 miles

Yes, I'm on a limb....but I'm watching you all

This week was greaqt for the promotion of RAF Tri.

Mat and Mal with very factual reports about what they have done and hope to achieve.

Andy R's fairy Tale

Andy F's Picture in Triathlon World

Jase's picture sent once again through to my private e-mail address and how he is an Amourer in the RAF....Pure Lies as everyone knows armourers don't have aposable thumbs!

Frank is really doing a great job, well done on the air time and inches. There is going to be a few more in the comming months so subscribe so as not to miss an issue.

Also as Sags says let the racing talk. Medals mean more than inches! A white wash at the IS should get us a pull out for August.

A pull out, sounds like we might be returning to 'hunk of the month'!

Pure coincidence perhaps, but he shares the page in RAF News with a wannabe Miss World.

Today people laugh at me .... but tomorrow I'm taking over the World. Muh ha ha ha ha

A sensible viewpoint Sags - but let me be more direct. I have known Andy for several years. I like him and have had several chats with him over the last few months given that we are in the same building/gym. Having ambition is a good thing and he is a talented triathlete in comparison to most.

But being frank, the article (which I have just read and hadn't seen this thread first) made me sit up and write. There is no chance that he will make the GB Olympic Squad; if there were, BTF would have Andy on the radar. Olympic selection is 3. A quick look at the BTF website shows 18 elite male triathlete profiles. So they are the guys (OK some duathletes) to beat. Add to them the top amateur guys and I think Andy needs to honestly ask himself if he is going to get a look in.

If it is a ruse to attract sponsorship, then it's not going to take much working out. Andy's objectives, whilst admirable, need to be more realistic.

I just hope that the raised profile of Triathlon within the RAF Community enables some of our talented, and dare I say 'less well heeled' guys to access some of the funding which is clearly available by way of sports grants.

Well said Tri Kitten..... and we both know that I know who you really are.

I agree with Saggs that all publicity needs to go through Frank. The real Frank...not JC.

I used to dream of Kona when I started dabbling in triathlon back in '91. Years later I realised I had the potential to make it and put my mind and body into it. Still you have to dream and visualise yourself doing it in qualification then in Kona too.

Some dreams need to be left on your pillows.

Me thinks with Andy that ambition is exceeding ability concerning 2012.

The 70.3 worlds may be different matter. I qualified 7th in Ironman Austria and came 23rd in Kona. Theres 20+ qualifying races meaning a lot of talented athletes are on the line. You need a lot of luck and be in peak form on the day. Good luck to all RAF athletes who represent their Service and Country but be realistic and give it your best on the day.

Read it in the tea bar. Had a laugh. Went out for a ride.

I love journalists!!

When asked what my chances of being in the 2012 squad were my response was "it would be a dream come true"

I haven't read the article but I'm guessing from the posts that a large degree of artistic license has been applied.

My feet and expectations are firmly on the ground and I'm just trying to do the best I can while out here in the Stan!!

How did we get on in the Interservices?

Well, if that's true Andy, I'd wring the reporter's neck! The Internet article certainly suggests Olympic aspirations, quote:

Although the World Championships are some months away, Flt Lt Reardon is already setting his sights on the highest level of competition – the London 2012 Olympic Games. “It’s a long road to 2012,” he said. “First I have to really make it as a triathlete on the world stage to make sure I’m competitive in 2011 for the Team GB squad. Then I have to race against the other British hopefuls and be in the top three to make it on to the team.

“It’s hugely daunting, especially since the other competitors are in training right now. I’m trying to stay positive and focused, because I know I have a mountain to climb.”

So, the question remains, will you be visiting said reporter with a pair of pliers, or .....

That's a very large degree of artistic licence and one very well informed Journo if so ... not many would know Team GB, top three etc, etc

Confucius say 'when in hole ...'

As you are all clearly impressed with my ambition to be an international athlete, I thought I would share a recent article published in the Lincolnshire Press..

Half Ironman Andy proved himself among the fittest athletes at Cranwell when he finished a gruelling triathlon event in under five hours. The 34 year old swam, cycled and ran a total of 7 miles in the searing heat during the California Half Ironman, completing the energy sapping event in 176th place from an international field of 178 men and women. Andy, who works at Cranwell, undertook a punishing training schedule to get himself in peak condition for the 0.12mile swim, 5.6mile bike ride and 1.3mile run. And he was more than satisfied with his finishing time after finding himself unable to make much progress in a crowd of ladies at the start of the swim. “It’s my first proper year of competition, so under five hours will do”, said Andy whose secondary duty is as a Pilates and Yoga Instructor at the station gymnasium. “The swim was a nightmare because there were so many people going off and I was in a crowded part at the start and was practically swimming vertically. There were so many people I was getting punched and kicked and it went on like that for half the distance. In fact I’ve been bullied all my life, I don’t know why, people just seem to pick on me”. Now Andy will take a break before embarking on the World Championships, at Clearwater, Florida, with the hope that his time there will be good enough to take him to the GB Squad for 2012.

LOL, I would almost have believed such ineptitude of the 'local press'....had you not snuck-in the 'cry for help' towards the end.

Do you tell all the girls you're a pilot too?

Come on guys - Andy has been misquoted - let's just let it lie and all concentrate on our OWN races instead of wasting time on this. We still have to beat the army at the Vitruvian, so lets get some team spirit and do it.

The Army are not a problem with only 5 athletes at the last count. The navy are now up to 9 and we (if everyone enters will be up to almost 30.

Odds are stacked