Jay on his way to Youth Olympics
Maryborough's Megan McCarthy found herself in trouble with her son Jay yesterday. She couldn't hide her delight in telling this writer how proud she was of her talented young cycling star being in the running to represent Australia in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August.
While Jay is pleased with the news, the 17-year-old former Aldridge State High School student took it all in his stride – he didn’t want to brag about being one of the four riders nominated to wear the green and gold.
That’s not his style.
His mother was more than happy to sing his praises though.
“I reckon it’s fantastic news that he’s in the reckoning,” Megan said.
“I’m over the moon for him – I couldn’t wait to share the news.
“Well, I am his mother after all and mums can get a bit excited about the achievements of their children,” she laughed.
“Jay would much rather say nothing about it.”
The Australian Olympic Committee will name the team next month.
The Youth Olympic Games will be contested by 3600 of the world’s talented young athletes aged between 14 and 18.
Jay McCarthy certainly ranks as one of them.
A member of the Fraser Coast Cycling Club, McCarthy, who is now based in Brisbane to allow him to train with the Queensland Academy of Sport, has already represented Australia overseas.
McCarthy was a member of the Australian team that contested the Junior World Road Championships in Moscow last year.
He finished an impressive seventh out of the 160 cyclists in the 140km road race.
He will also contest the world titles in Italy this year.
McCarthy leaves next week for five weeks of racing in Europe; that journey includes the world titles.
McCarthy will head overseas coming off some red-hot performances already this season.
He powered his way to winning the under-19 124km road race during the Queensland Road Championships in Brisbane and backed that up by winning the 132km road race during the Australian Road championships in Murwillumbah, New South Wales.
True to form, McCarthy wasn’t about to get carried away by the news of his Olympic nomination.
I am stoked for sure because it doesn’t get any better than representing your country,” he said.
“I’d love to go to the Olympics but I’ll just wait and see what happens.
“I’ve got to concentrate on doing well in Europe first before I can think of going to Singapore.”
