CONCERNS have been raised over 2009 Pacific Mini Games star Betty Babalu’s participation in long distance competition.
The 12-year-old had been the talk of the PMG ever since she won her first gold medal in a pulsating women’s 5000m race.
The first-timer to the regional meet later took part in the 10,000m event in which she managed to scope the silver medal behind a New Caledonian runner.
According to Team Fiji coach Albert Miller, the 10,000m race was too much for the tiny Malaita native.
“Personally I think 10,000m was too much for her. She was joking around in 5000m and in 10,000m we could see it (exhaustion) quite clearly.
“I spoke to the Solomon Island officials and told them that it (Betty taking part in 10,000m) will become an issue. It is very important to first look after the welfare of our athletes.”
Miller believes the first event would have been enough to give Babalu exposure.
Based on his experience as a former Fiji representative, Miller said that participation regardless of age will not affect an athlete’s health.
“Training wise it can have an effect on the health. If an athlete is over trained, it can result into some complication in future.”
However, according to the medical officer in charge of PMG, Doctor Sireli Kaloucava, there is no health problem associated with over training of athletes.
“Not really … it shouldn’t have any effect on health or growth of a person,” he said.
Athletics statistician Bob Snow believes age should not be the barrier to stop an athlete from participating in the competition. - Rashneel Kuresh: Cook Islands News
Last Modified on 27/09/2009 07:31