Triathlon young gun Hauser urged to keep emotions in check

OLYMPIAN Ryan Bailie says emerging triathlete Matt Hauser has what it takes to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games today if he can contain his emotions.

Hauser, 19, heads into the Games as the youngest member of Australia’s six-person triathlon team.

The Gold Coast-based, Hervey Bay product is a rising star of the sport and the junior world champion but Hauser will have the chance to put his name up against some of the greatest in his home city.

It’s a position Bailie knows well. He was 22 when he made his Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow where he finished fifth in the individual before winning bronze for Australia in the mixed relay following a sprint finish after anchoring the team.

Bailie said Hauser had the ability to do the same if he could avoid the pitfalls that came with the exposure and hype around the Games.

“He is certainly a medal chance,” Bailie said of the man who took one of the discretionary positions he hoped to secure for the Games.

“It’s just whether he can keep it all contained and stay on top of things because it is different to a normal race.

“It’s about thinking it’s just a swim, bike and run at the end of the day with maybe a little bit more attached, depending on how you do.

“There are a lot more distractions during the week so it will be about how he manages all that but I’m sure he has got the right support network behind him to stay on top of it.”

Bailie finished 10th at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and has enjoyed success on the World Triathlon Series before niggling injuries set him back last year.

Bailie said success on the Gold Coast this week could propel Hauser’s flourishing career forward.

“Once you make a Commonwealth Games team, you definitely start looking ahead two years to a possible Olympics. But there is a lot of time in between that and the Olympics,” Bailie said.