Launceston’s former world champion rower Ali Foot has threatened to quit unless changes are made at Rowing Australia’s hierarchy.
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The London Olympic lightweight four reserve said he wants to make a stand against what he accuses of unfair selection policies.
The 29-year-old Tamar rower briefly stepped away from the sport after the 2012 Olympic Games but later on his return to the national program, he found Australia controversially opted not to send a lightweight four to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
“I’m still waiting to see where the wash-up is from Rio and what people are still involved at the top,” he said.
“I want to hear from the hierarchy involved, who gets the sack, then I’ll decide whether I’ll go and pursue it.
“Because if it’s the same people involved, I’m just not interested in being involved in [elite] rowing any more.”
He said the attack was not directed at Rowing Tasmania.
Foot and his crew was granted an appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The appeal this year was dismissed over Australia’s Olympic qualifying time set at 6:00.80, which was nearly 20 seconds faster than the eventual gold medallists.
“They sort of didn’t even give us a chance to qualify. So I was thinking I’m not going to go back, race and get involved and have the same thing happen again,” he said.
“It’s just a waste of my time – I’d rather put in my energy into these marathons.”
Foot, who earned a 2011 world gold in the lightweight eights at Slovenia, won a first marathon at Ross on Sunday.
He previously tested the waters in June at the Burnie Ironman Classic following a crack at the 2013 national cycling road championships.
“So I’ve got to make the decision of what I am doing now,” Foot said.