Speed supremo fires parting shot at national body
Retiring sprinter Joseph Millar has voiced his regret over the lack of support he received from Athletics New Zealand during his career.
The 10-time national champion this week announced his retirement from athletics as he remained the fastest Kiwi over 200m, clocking 20.37 seconds in 2017.
In a candid reflection, Millar said he believes that with equitable financial support and resources from Athletics New Zealand, he could have achieved even more.
“I don’t necessarily feel like I was getting as much support as I could have got or needed,” he said.
“Especially compared to some of the guys that were competing against me.”
It became something that made him more hungry for success: “It was one of those things, whether you help me or hinder me, both of those were fuelling the runs.”
The 31-year-old announced he was hanging up his spikes via a cryptic message on social media.
“While I feel unlucky to have not been able to show everyone the fruits of my best off-season when I take a step back and look at the career I’ve had, I feel so lucky to have lived it,” Millar said on Instagram.
“To the haters, your tears were delicious.”
Millar considers the governing body one of those haters, along with opponents and spectators.
He also called out the conditions of NZ athletics tracks after an incident where he fell into a pothole while running the 200m at the Potts Classic in Hawke’s Bay this January. Millar reinjured a long-term back injury from in 2010, when he was told he would never run again. January’s fall spurred his decision to call time on his career.
The Tauranga-born sprinter reflected on his injury-ridden run in the sport, saying many were caused by things out of his control and became detrimental to his career.
“I had a bike fall apart on me, gym equipment failed while I was on it and blocks slipping — not the normal stuff you get, like a tight hamstring,” Millar said.
“I’d done everything within my power to make sure I was as robust as I could be, so I did feel quite hard done by.”
Athletics New Zealand chief executive Cam Mitchell briefly responded to Millar’s claims, saying, “We are disappointed to hear of Joseph’s comments.
“All athletes are subject to the same criteria regarding funding on the HP [High Performance] programme.”
Millar feels gutted the injuries left him unable to achieve his dream of getting to an Olympic Games.
“It was hard because it’s almost like you’re having to acknowledge defeat — that it was a mountain I couldn’t climb,” Millar said.
“But also knowing that I’ve been given this gift of speed to then put it down, felt a little bit blasphemous.
“A lot of people would love to be that quick, but it wasn’t enough for me.”