Western Australian Institute of Sport supported triathlete Ryan Bailie has confirmed his nomination for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games by finishing fourth at the weekend WTS Gold Coast event.
The 25 year-old secured his ticket by finishing inside the top 10 and as the highest ranked Australian, meaning he will earn selection for the Australian Olympic Team along with the previously nominated Aaron Royle, who finished 17th on the Gold Coast.
Bailie capped a career best weekend by being named Best Male Triathlete (for 2015) as well as receiving the coveted Athlete’s Athlete of the Year Award at the Triathlon Australia Celebrating Champions Dinner on Saturday night.
The South African born, Bunbury raised athlete crossed the finish line in 1:47.31hrs to edge fellow Aussie Ryan Fisher for the final automatic qualifying spot for Rio.
With only discretionary spots now available for Olympic selection, Bailie admitted it was a relief to have taken the decision out of selectors’ hands and the now Wollongong based dasher paid tribute to his long-term coach Jamie Turner.
“I owe a lot to Jamie (Turner) and just the Wizards pretty much, they’ve helped me so much. I’m pretty much speechless,” an elated Bailie said post-race.
“If you had told me six years ago, I’d be going to my first Olympic Games I probably would have laughed at you.
“This is my second top place, the podium is still beckoning but (I) just wanted to take it (nomination) out of selectors’ hands, I didn’t want it to go to discretionary,” he said.
The WTS Gold Coast title was claimed by Spanish legend Mario Mola, ahead of compatriot Fernando Alarza with GB athlete Jonathon Brownlee in third.
