Images of the green and gold flashing first over the line in the 1984 Olympics are still vivid in my memory as the almost unbelievable happening. In the Australian quartet of the team pursuit was a youngster who had already left his mark on world cycling, having notched up a World Championship and at 17 putting an Olympic gold under his belt. It must have been a proud moment for him and now it is with pride on my part that I write this foreword to Dean's book.
I will start by saying that in all sports there are very few athletes who come into the category of being what is termed 'very coachable' - that is, a coach's dream. It has been my pleasure that I have had this opportunity to work with Dean and to experience with him the heights he has attained in his sport - gold, silver and bronze Olympic medals and two world medals to show for all the years of training and years of sacrifice. Many a sportsperson would never dream of achieving so much.
Along the way with the medals and glory there have also been disappointments. Dean, to his great credit, has taken all the knocks on the chin, usually smiling bravely at the same time - stuff which shows what a truly great sportsperson is made of!
In the history of sport, great athletes are often only given recognition by the media well after their retirement, a famous cyclist once being referred to as a 'great old man of cycling'. As one of Australia's great present-day sports heroes, should we begin calling Dean (well before his retirement) a 'great old man'? Young cyclists just beginning to make their mark on the stage of world cycling probably think of him in this way already. But at the ripe old age of 29 he's still giving them a good run for their money.
To Dean, I say thank you for your invitation to write this foreword, congratulations on your achievements and the best of luck with your future career.
Charlie Walsh
OLYMPIC TRACK CYCLING COACH HEAD COACH,
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT , TRACK CYCLING
6-8 Handley Street (PO Box 654) Wangaratta Victoria 3677 Australia.
