By Pyc Fitness
©2004-2008
GREG Bennett now has $US420,000 ($467,400) in his pocket and a new will to go to the Beijing Olympics. By winning the US Open, Bennett swept a five-race series and claimed the largest pay cheque in triathlon history.
This success has caused the 35-year-old to do an Olympic about-face and reconsider competing in Beijing next year. Earlier this year, he told Triathlon Australia he had other plans and the Olympics were not a priority.
But his form prompted him to email chairman of selectors Peter Fitzgerald to ask what he needed to do to be in China next August. And even though Bennett may not be as spritely as when he first competed as a 15-year-old, he could just be the competitor Australia's Olympic team needs.
"At the end of the day, for an Olympic Games, I don't think age is relevant," Fitzgerald said. "You never knock anyone back on age if you think they are the right person. You've either got the form or you don't. Greg certainly indicated he will be back on the ITU world cup scene, and I'll let him know on behalf of the selectors on what we want him to do. Hopefully, he'll have some good results."
Bennett, who finished fourth at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, hopes his form in the recent US triathlon series translates to the upcoming ITU world cup races. He is expected to race at a world cup meeting in Cancun, Mexico, on November 3.
However, on Sunday all the Queenslander could think about was his record win and spending his money on building a house in Boulder, California, for himself and his wife Laura. She is also a talented triathlete and was recently selected for the US Olympic team.
"I came into this sport wanting to do well enough to own a home for me and Laura," Bennett said. "Now, I've reached that goal."
He also spoke about feeling anxious all week and barely sleeping a wink. Yet his sleepless lead-up didn't affect his speed.
Yesterday's record payout came from a $US60,000 ($66,700) prize for the win in Dallas, a $60,000 bonus for being the Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series champion and a $300,000 super-bonus for winning all five events.
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