Hamish Carter retires 6th March 2007
Hi everyone,
Well tonight was in a way a moment in time that I thought would never arrive. Tonight, Hamish Carter one of the greatest athletes this country has ever seen retired. Now he's become Hamish Carter the sporting legend. Of course he had already achieved that status but in a funny way it seems in New Zealand we never really appreciate someone's greatness until they call it quits.
As a young bloke I dreamed of being something great in anything I put my mind too. We all have our hero's and I guess from a young age Michael Jordan was mine. However Jordan was just so 2 dimensional for me ( I could never actually touch him) and when I started racing triathlon I found a new hero to look up too. That hero became a role model, an opponent and lastly a good friend. In a strange way I'm really gutted Hamish has moved to his new life.
But, I guess he will be able to spend all the time he wants with Marissa, Austin and Phoebe which is really all he wanted. Hamish offered and gave so much for our sport. And in turn has left such a dynasty it will be difficult for anyone to fill. What he and Bevan gave us in Athens in 2004 will last forever.
It was such a pleasure to be there and I will never forget standing outside the broadcast centre waiting for their return from the race course. In one moment Hamish summed up his life for me and why he did it. Jumping around on the other side of the metal detector and security fences he and Bevan passed through only for Hamish to set the lights off..... "Oh yeah I forgot this" he said pulling his gold medal out of his pocket!!
It was all about the race and how he had challenged himself to be the best he could be. He will be truly missed all around the triathlon world and I thank him for everything he has done for our sport and wish him well in the future where ever it may take him. This has been the second time that I have had a mate leave the sport in the past few months. Before I had this website up and running.
Another of my best friends decided to hang up his "budgie smugglers" as they say in Australia. Bryce Quirk was one of my first real mates in triathlon. And has always been there right from when I first started as a junior. It was a sad day to see him go out. But, he too now has other things in his life that are more important than racing around the world doing triathlon (none other than Nicole his wife). I'm hundred percent sure we will see Bryce coaching the superstars of the future in no time. As will Hamish most probably!! now thats a scary thought.
Kris