Johnny Rayner in Canada

Sunday 25th July 2010

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Today was a very hard day for me personally as I was forced make probably the toughest and most hurtful decision of my life. I have recently been hit with an athletic setback in the form of a hamstring tear at my international athletic debut for Australia in Canada. My race is due to begin in a little over 20 hours however I will not be taking my place on the start line with my 4x400m Australian team. A few hours ago I had my hamstring heavily strapped and went for a fitness test that would decide my fate with regards to running my leg in the 4x400. It turns out that after not being able to stride out to a pace coming anywhere close to resembling 400m speed - due to sharp pain and restriction - and receiving medical advice from team doctors and physios, I believe it was a smart idea not to jeopardise the result of my team or most probably seriously injure myself further.

I have known for many days now that running this race would be very unlikely however I want you all to know that I really did give it my best shot to be fit enough to compete. I want to thank you all for the support I have received in the lead up to this competition and particularly through the hard times of the last week. I want to assure you that this decision has not been made lightly and I sincerely hope that I am lucky enough to get another shot at wearing the green and gold.

I am a believer of the concept that ‘everything happens for a reason' and if anything, the events that have unfolded over the last week have strongly reiterated my love for and desire to achieve further things in athletics.

Thanks again for your support, Johnny Rayner

Photos: Johnny and coach Gregor

An update on Johnny's progress in Canada at the World Junior Athletics Championships. For circumstances outlined below I am providing this update on behalf of Johnny.

Johnny arrived safely in Vancouver Canada almost two weeks ago after an initial delay at Sydney airport. Jet lagged after 22 two hours of travel Johnny and the rest of the team competed at two competitions within 24 /48 hours of arrival. Considering the circumstances Johnny's 4^th (2^nd Aussie) in the Men's Open 400m at the Kajaks International in a time of 48.6 wasn't too bad - just 0.4sec outside his PB. The following day Johnny competed in the Men's 4x400m relay. The team won the event beating the highly fancies NZL team. Johnny's time (unofficial) was 47.5 sec. Following the competitions the team spent a further couple of days in a training camp in Vancouver before flying to Moncton on the east coast (New Brunswick) of Canada. Moncton is where the World Junior Champs is being held.

The team are staying on campus at The University of Moncton, approx 1km from where the track where the champs are being held.  Johnny is very impressed with the setup and the razzmatazz that goes with a World athletics event. Apart from the new mondo athletics track for the championships, next door there are two warm-up tracks: one being indoor.

Now.... the ups and downs of sport......

Johnny had been extremely pleased with his preparation leading into the championships. His heavy training now behind him he was feeling fresh and ready to run -fast! He had competed well in the time trial both in Aus before leaving and at the comps in Canada and had improved his ranking with the Aus 4x400m relay team from 6^th to 2^nd or 3^rd. Johnny had been advised of his starting place in the heat at the champs. All that remained was an individual time trial to finalise Johnny's preparation. As with most important competitions Johnny's training programme included a time trial to be run on the eve of the championships - a week out from THE race.

The time trial wasn't a competitive thing. He was doing by himself and a trial of this nature (at race pace but over a shorter distance - 250m) is meant be ideal preparation before an important event. We do these at home all the time, especially if there isn't a competition the week before the important event. By all accounts (AA sprints coach) Johnny was "flying" in the trial until the 70m when he tore his hamstring. Since being in Canada Johnny had been receiving physio in an attempt to be more flexible and improve his performances. This he felt had assisted him and in his words he hasn't felt as good (prior to the trial) for a long time. He felt ready to run fast.

Like the doctor for Geelong last week who was fortunate to have his heart attack at the footy with other medical staff and equipment of hand: Johnny did his hammy in front of the AA team doctor and physios. He had ice in him literally within seconds and the treatment has been around the clock since.

The physios have ultra sounded it and they can see a small tear.  Management of it initially was ice and rest for two days whilst treating the muscles above and below the strain. He is walking Ok now and has been jogging up and down the corridor within 48 hours of the injury. Day three (yesterday) they treated the sore spot which involved deep massage of the scar tissue - apparently a bit of pain involved! He was to go for a longer jog late yesterday. Late tomorrow they are going to test his strength of his hamstring. In doing this they will put a local anaesthetic into the muscle and test his strength/power on a machine. If it is all good then they will let him warm up. If that goes well they will see how he pulls up and then let him warm up on Saturday for the heat of the 4x400m relay.

In Johnny's favour he doesn't bruise which means his doesn't bleed (much). This fact has given the medicos a sniff of maybe he has a chance, albeit a long shot (100:1). If he passes the power test and actually gets to warm a possible outcome is that he does further damage - but it is a risk he is willing to take. You've gotta admire his courage. The poor bugger is missing out on a lot: missed the opening ceremony; wasn't  allowed to attend the comp at this stage; and missed a couple of shopping sautés with his team mates. Ironically he is less than 1km from the track, can hear the roar of the crowd but is watching the action on the internet when he can get a connection.

We have been speaking to Johnny a couple of times a day and his spirits remain high. He is going to give the recovery process a real crack but is realistic in the scenarios that lay ahead in the next few days. Athletics Australia coaches, management and medicos have been extremely supportive as have his fellow team mates.

Regards John (snr)

Previous email send by Johnny on his departure from Aus.

Dear Sponsors & Supporters

I want to formally send out a huge thank-you for your time and effort and the sponshorship you have given me which has allowed me to fully fund my trip to Canada to attend the World Junior Athletics Championship later this month.

Your generosity has been overwhelming and your support greatly appreciated.

I will endeavour to keep you posted on my whereabouts and results over the coming weeks. Below is quick overview of my progress to date and Canada itinerary. At this point I would also like to thank my coach Gregor who has meant so much to me and coached me since I was nine years old. It is through Gregor's coaching skills and sustained efforts that I make my international athletics debut.

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