Gentle coach in shock sacking
THE Olympic preparations of Australia’s leading female triathlete Ashleigh Gentle and other stars have been thrown into disarray following the sudden and mysterious sacking of Triathlon Australia coach Jamie Turner.
Gentle has been left without a coach and scrabbling to plot a new path to the 2020 Tokyo Games just over a year out from the event after Triathlon Australia axed Turner.
The decision was made due to a major breach of contract by Turner following an incident leading into the Yokohama leg of the World Triathlon Series held on May 18.
Turner flew to Japan with Gentle, 28, and the team but was given his marching orders and was back on a plane on Friday, May 17.
Gentle wouldn’t reveal the details of the incident that led to Turner’s axing but conceded it compounded an already growing psychological struggle she was having.
She said it contributed to her decision to pull out of the race in Japan halfway through the bike leg.
“I haven’t been in the best head space for a while now so it might have added to that. It’s been quite stressful,” she said.
The fallout is a huge blow for Gentle given the importance of the coming year when athletes will be trying to qualify for Tokyo, vying for one of three expected men’s and women’s spots for Australia.
Automatic places will also be available to the top finishing Aussie who can get on the podium at the test event in August in Japan.
Gentle was due to go to Vitoria, Spain, after the Yokohama race to prepare for the Leeds leg of the WTS but returned home to Australian to be with partner and long-distance triathlete Josh Amberger while formulating a new plan.
Gentle said she was growing increasingly unhappy and began questioning her training and planning.
Triathlon Australia confirmed the decision in a statement.
“The sport is committed to ensuring our athletes can remain focused on upcoming races with the support of our national performance director and other specialist staff.”
Turner remains accredited to coach under Triathlon Australia despite his axing and it’s understood the board of the governing body are currently reviewing his status.
Turner declined to comment.
Gentle said the timing in relation to her Tokyo campaign was difficult but remained confident she could reach a second Olympic Games.