SA Footy

Dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist John Steffensen has stepped up his attack on Athletics Australia (AA), accusing them of racial vilification while vowing to boycott the London Olympics.

Steffensen on Friday threatened to sit out the Games and not be part of the 4x400m men's relay in protest at teenager Steve Solomon receiving an individual 400m spot.

The controversial runner went one step further in an incredible tirade on Channel 9 on Saturday morning, saying he has been racially vilified by AA.

"I don't think it helps the legitimacy of our sport or the selection criteria, and I think it only makes our sport look stupid," he said of AA's decision to name the 19-year-old Solomon ahead of him for the one-lap race.

"The rules and the goalposts are getting shifted. Now they're going to pick who they want to put in the team.

"I've put up with being racially vilified by this federation, being discriminated against on many teams.

"...You think I waste my time running at training for fun? For this?

"No, they can have athletics. I don't need to do this no more."

Steffensen didn't back down when asked about AA's alleged racism.

"Read between the lines. I don't really have to explain anything to you," he said.

"You know it would help if I was a different colour.

"A lot of my decisions with my federation would be totally different.

"But I've never brought that up. I've always kept quiet on that. Because people aren't really going to want to hear that sort of stuff.


If only his body could cash the cheques his mouth writes

gee, hurt us John ... boycott the olympics

WADH

Athletics Australia will not punish Steffansen

psss weak

WADH

go protest at BHP

brod wrote:Dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist John Steffensen has stepped up his attack on Athletics Australia (AA), accusing them of racial vilification while vowing to boycott the London Olympics.

Steffensen on Friday threatened to sit out the Games and not be part of the 4x400m men's relay in protest at teenager Steve Solomon receiving an individual 400m spot.

The controversial runner went one step further in an incredible tirade on Channel 9 on Saturday morning, saying he has been racially vilified by AA.

"I don't think it helps the legitimacy of our sport or the selection criteria, and I think it only makes our sport look stupid," he said of AA's decision to name the 19-year-old Solomon ahead of him for the one-lap race.

"The rules and the goalposts are getting shifted. Now they're going to pick who they want to put in the team.

"I've put up with being racially vilified by this federation, being discriminated against on many teams.

"...You think I waste my time running at training for fun? For this?

"No, they can have athletics. I don't need to do this no more."

Steffensen didn't back down when asked about AA's alleged racism.

"Read between the lines. I don't really have to explain anything to you," he said.

"You know it would help if I was a different colour.

"A lot of my decisions with my federation would be totally different.

"But I've never brought that up. I've always kept quiet on that. Because people aren't really going to want to hear that sort of stuff.


If only his body could cash the cheques his mouth writes

Maybe it would help if he was a different colour... Michael Johnson the WR holder was much darker than him...

Clearly AA got it right after his p!ss weak run in the relay. Solomon is streets ahead of this verbal nutjob not only in terms of ability but heart and character. Lets hope it's the last we see of him

Good, glad its over for him. Waste of time and space.

helicopterking wrote:Good, glad its over for him. Waste of time and space.

If only he ran as fast as he runs his mouth off he would be World Champion.
WADH
Hopefully thats the end of him

Shot his mouth off after the race too, saying its a team sport and he had to do more after others didn't do as well

He's a jerkoff

As much as I dislike Steffensen, Tony Jones's interview of him after the race was disgracecfull. Trash Channel 9 TV.. he was baiting him to say something controversial over and over again. As we all knew the guy that ran second or thrid did not go to well, so Jones was trying to imply that it was his fault through the eyes of Steffenson to get him in trouble. TONY JONES is a WANKER.

Completely agree. Tony Jones, just probing and probing, looking for something controversial. What a cock. An aggressive interview.
Steffensen is a tool, but i think he is too dumb to know better...Jones on the other hand....

Ron Burgundy wrote:Completely agree. Tony Jones, just probing and probing, looking for something controversial. What a cock. An aggressive interview.
Steffensen is a tool, but i think he is too dumb to know better...Jones on the other hand....

I think Tony Jones wanted everyone in Australia to have a laugh knowing what would inevitably would come out of this big headed lunatics gob !!!!!

Jones must be copping it.

Because he felt the need to defend himself on Twitter...

@TJch9
For the record, @JohnSteffensen and I get on very well. We chatted after the interview.... He didn't have a problem with it."

KEYDEFENDER wrote:As much as I dislike Steffensen, Tony Jones's interview of him after the race was disgracecfull. Trash Channel 9 TV.. he was baiting him to say something controversial over and over again. As we all knew the guy that ran second or thrid did not go to well, so Jones was trying to imply that it was his fault through the eyes of Steffenson to get him in trouble. TONY JONES is a WANKER.

Gotta agree.

Jones' baiting made me side with with Steff.

To his credit, he remained calm and kept his composure.

The one time he would've been excused for blowing up.

And he didn't bite!

Jones has always come across very smug.

Agree with the comments about Tony Jones. Gutter trash masquerading as an interview. Steffenson is, IMHO, lucky to be in the team still after his disgusting comments (and proven very, very wrong) but it was low by Jones, regardless of whether he and Steffenson get along or not.

Somehow you have to think that his decision to boycott the 2010 Commonwealth Games didn't serve his best interests.

did he? ... didn't notice

have I mentioned WADH?