No rest as Olympian prepares next race
Reporter: Janice Barker
Date published: 22 August 2008
Photo: DARREN ROBINSON
That’s my dad’s medal . . . baby Grace Newton, showing off her father Olympic bronze medal, is pictured with Chris and Lindsay. Main picture: Darren Robinson
He’s home and he’s a hero — Olympic medallist Chris Newton is back in Oldham and already planning his next race.
Chris, who took bronze in the gruelling 40k Points Race at the Beijing games, proudly showed off his jade-decorated gong around baby daughter Grace’s neck.
He was hailed a hero by wife Lindsey, her mum, and his family from Middlesbrough as they greeted him at Manchester Airport and carried on the party at his bunting and flag-decked home.
He’s resting today but will be back in training tomorrow — preparing for the Tour of Britain on September 7, then the national championships and the World Cup in October in Manchester.
Chris is a veteran of four Olympics — Atlanta, Sydney, Athens and now Beijing — and has won team bronze and silver before.
But winning a solo medal was even sweeter. He said: “It just feels different. It is such a tactical race, and you can be the strongest rider and still not win.
“I was pretty relaxed at the start, quite clear headed, and we had worked with a sports psychologist through various scenarios.
“It was 45 minutes at an average speed of 53 kilometres an hour, and the last 40 laps were excruciating.
“But we have a big team emphasis and everyone was there watching behind a bank of photographers, the mechanics, masseurs, nutritionists, coaches, who are on hand 24 hours a day.
“There was enjoyment, but it is a painful event. As soon as I finished it was such a relief and the next day I slept for 20 hours.”
Chris’s Olympic hopes were almost ended when he broke his collarbone in a road accident earlier this year.
And he revealed that he had to work through the pain barrier to win his medal, saying: “My shoulder is still quite numb after the operation to pin it, my hand and wrist ache, but you just get on with it.”
Lindsey, a nurse, said going to Beijing was not really an option because of 10-month-old Grace.
She added: “I was watching the race and when he won I was shouting and screaming. I missed him immensely.
“He is my hero. We’re going to have a family holiday in Cyprus, just the three of us, me Chris and Grace, but I know he’ll be back on his bike on Saturday. It’s his job.”
Chris has no thoughts of retiring yet, but is not sure if he will make the 2012 London Olympics, now he has a family at home in Oldham.
He said: “It is a lot of sacrifice, and I have done three as a single man and enjoyed myself. Now I have a family it is a lot harder. But you never know.
