‘Gutted’ Lowther unable to race after admin error
England officials were forced into an embarrassing apology after a cycling medal hopeful was unable to compete because they failed to submit her entry correctly.
Melissa Lowther had arrived in Gold Coast with her sights set on making the time-trial podium, only to be told on the eve of the event that Team England had not managed to tick the right box on the entry system.
Team officials submitted a lastditch appeal to Commonwealth Games organisers late on Monday night, but their request failed.
Lowther, 21, said she “could not put into words how disappointed” she was, while Sarah Winckless, Team England chef de mission, apologised to the cyclist.
“It’s more than embarrassing,” said Winckless, an Olympic rowing medallist. “It’s hugely disappointing and she has my sympathies and sincere apologies.
“As an ex-athlete, I know exactly how hard Melissa has worked and her focus has been on this. It is not what I wanted for any of our athletes.”
Winckless explained: “We failed to tick a box a few days ago on an allocation to add to an event. We found that out at the technical meeting. The spreadsheet came back absolutely accurate from British Cycling and the admin happened in transferring that data into a different system.
“I’ve spoken to Melissa and she was very reasonable. She was very disappointed not to be able to compete, as we are on her behalf.
“It is a huge responsibility we have to get the athletes in the right events. I am hugely upset.”
Lowther had skipped a number of races in the build-up to yesterday’s time trial, which Australia’s Katrin Garfoot won, as she focused all her energy on challenging for a medal here. She will still compete in Saturday’s road race, which had been her secondary focus. Responding to the news, Lowther wrote on social media: “I can’t put into words how disappointed I am to have been missed off the start list due to an admin error. It was one of my targets this season to make selection for the time-trial event and I was so proud that my hard work in training had paid off.
“While Team England have apologised, I’m still gutted not to have the opportunity to represent my country after all the hard miles I’ve put in.”
Winckless confirmed that a full review of Team England procedures would take place after the error. “No athlete should suffer because of an administrative error by my group,” she said.
“We need to review our processes, checks and measures. There were probably seven or eight steps where this error could have been seen. Unfortunately it wasn’t.
“Of course, we have checked every other athlete’s entry.”
On a largely unsuccessful day for the home nations, England’s Ben Proud won the 50metres freestyle title on the final night of action in the pool to finish with a gold and two silvers at these Games.
There was no such success for Olympic hammer medallist Sophie Hitchon and world indoor 60m hurdles champion Andrew Pozzi, who both failed to make the podium.