Cele salvages pride in Beijing

2008-08-11 15:29

Beijing - Siboniso "Master" Cele bounced back from a nerve-hampered first run to post an impressive second run on the first day of the Olympic C1 slalom competition, but failed to make the cut for the semi-finals.

A gutted Cele had to twice Eskimo roll his canoe after capsizing in the white water of the Shunyi slalom course, and in the process of righting his craft for the second time he missed gate 16, and incurred a 50 second penalty that effectively ended his Olympic dream.

"I had already rolled once (in the tough Dragons Mouth drop) and when I came down to the big drop my paddle touched the side of the canal, which unbalanced me and I fell to the off-side, I rolled up as fast as I could but I went under the gate upside down, which is an automatic fifty second penalty."

With just his pride at stake Cele set off on his second run far more confidently, and completed a clear run in a time that reaffirmed his potential to make the semi-final cut.

The likeable youngster from the Dihlabeng club outside Bethlehem was placed under huge pressure as he was the first paddler to enter the packed Shunyi stadium, where the expectant massive crowd created a charged atmosphere.

Disappointed

"After that first run I felt like I wanted to kill myself," said Cele. "But it is a race, and I had to get it all back together and try to do the best that I could do in the final run, to prove what I am capable of."

Cele has every right to feel disappointed, as the times he posted would have given a good chance at making the semi-final cut. "That's what makes it so frustrating," he added. "Looking at all my split times I know I was capable of making the semis."

Cele is determined to take his Olympic experience and use it to fuel the passion of the youngsters that he coaches at the Dihlabeng township in the Free State. Despite his disappointment, he was aware of the of the impact that his role as an Olympian would have on that training programme.

"Globally it looks so bright," he enthused. "I want the kids in our club to use today to inspire them to train even harder, and one day top race at the Olympics. For me personally I see this just as the first step to my goal for the next Olympics in 2012," he added.

- Sport24