Ian Wiley has expressed his disappointment at his failure to qualify for the Men's K1 Slalom in Sydney early yesterday. In an interview with RTÉ Television Wiley said, "I'm gutted …I made an error on gate 20 (on qualifying run 1) which left me 6 seconds of the pace at the split... and put me in a ridiculous situation going into the second run." Wiley continued, "I really had to have an excellent second run…but I felt confident (I could do it). I haven't done it ...I'm shocked, I can't believe it and I'm very angry with myself. (You) can't afford to make mistakes like that." On being questioned whether or not he would vie for an Olympic medal in four years time Wiley said, "This'll be it" and declared it was time to do other things. "It hasn't happened…I didn't want it to end like this", he said.
Wiley was 12th fastest when he finished that first run but was left in 19th place when the whole field had competed. Wiley finished 13th in the second run and pulled himself up to 16th overall, just one place from qualifying, albeit three seconds adrift.
"I've had a successful career…and have great memories from the sport. I didn't get an Olympic medal and that was my end goal but I came close on a couple of occasions.
Filed by Jimmy D'Arcy
