Deferral welcomed

NATIONAL jumps (long, high and triple) record holder Rellie Kaputin has welcomed the deferral of the Olympics which has given the Oceania champion 12 more months to push for Games qualification.
Seven months ago, the Pacific Games gold medallist thought her dream of representing the country at the highest level was over when she fractured a bone in her foot.
She had just attended to her visa renewal and was set to return to Australia to continue her preparations to compete in qualifiers when the accident occurred.
“Coach Phillip Newton immediately recognised the problem was serious when he saw her badly swollen foot,” Athletics Papua New Guinea president Tony Green said in a statement yesterday.
“Scans revealed a fracture of the right fibula.”
What followed was a lonely six-month rehabilitation for the 27-year-old.
The three-times-a-week travel from 9-Mile to the Taurama High Performance Centre was in itself a major challenge for a while, with taxis often the only option.
What kept Kaputin going was a steely determination not to let the setback destroy her Olympic dream.
“She kept going when many others would have given up,” Green said.
“Her champion qualities saw her through this dark period.”
Even when Kaputin was finally able to return to training in February, Newton had doubts about whether she could reach the standard required in the short time that was left.
But the news last week that the Games would be postponed had taken the pressure off and she now has 12 months to qualify for the Games.
“With this second chance offered to me, I will complete every training session as if it is the most important session available to me in my quest to be an Olympian,” Kaputin said.
“I’d like to thank physiotherapist Hendriella Vilosi and Matthew Natusch for their support in getting me back on track, as well as the PNG Olympic Committee and High Performance Sport for their assistance.”
Newton said: “We have welcomed the prompt decision by the International Olympic Committee to reschedule the Games as it gives Rellie a realistic timeframe to regain the world-class form she was exhibiting in July last year.
“Now that she has fully overcome what may have been a career-ending injury with continued support, she has the opportunity to improve her world ranking and reach her goal of representing the country at the biggest international event in world sport.”