Travis Meyer Withdraws from Commonwealth Games

WAIS-AIS cyclist Travis Meyer has announced he will not compete in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi due to health concerns.

Meyer had been set to feature in the Australian road team at next month’s Games, but has confirmed to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association that he would be withdrawing.

A spokesman for Meyer cited health and safety issues as the reasons for withdrawing.

“There is also talk of terror threats, reason enough for not being there,” the spokesman said.

“Travis thought long and hard and not taken it lightly. At this stage his brother Cameron is still going.”

Meyer raced at the one-day Tour of Tuscany overnight after competing at the Marco Pantani memorial race in Italy on Saturday.

Garmin-Transitions sporting director Matt White said he had been informed of Travis’ decision.

“It remains an individual’s choice. If it was me personally, I’d still be going,” White said.

Australian Commonwealth Games Association head Perry Crosswhite said the loss of Meyer, 21, can be managed.

“They (Cycling Australia) actually have some depth in that area so they don’t think there’ll be significant impact,” he said.

Crosswhite had long telephone conversations with both Meyer and Xu (table tennis player Sang Xu) but said they had already made up their minds. Meyer’s older brother, Cameron, who is also competing in the men’s endurance events on the track, will travel to Delhi.

“He (Travis) was very positive about everything but just felt at the end of the day he didn’t want to take the risk coming here as far as his future career is concerned,” Crosswhite said.

“His other main concern was the dengue fever-mosquito issue as a lot of his training is outdoors. I got him to try to talk about it but he’d made his decision.”

– ACGA