Wednesday, February 27, 2002
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Wednesday, February 27, 2002 |
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An Olympian in our midst By JANET
McGREGOR
Although he could never have envisioned it at the age of 13, David Weller's aversion to riding a bus put him on track to a future full of cycling medals and awards. As a young man in Jamaica, Weller opted to ride his bicycle to and from school, 15 miles each way. "I was tempted by all the social ills but I guess instinctively I wanted to be different," said Weller. "I was searching for something to focus my energy on." A chance encounter with the Jamaican national cycling coach in 1971 gave him a focus. Cycling became a way of life for him. "My life was consumed with cycling and weight training," he said. Weller cycled 3,000 miles a month in addition to weight training and school. By 1973 he was ready to compete in his first Junior races, traveling to Europe where he came in first. "I really learned the value of weight training in 1975," he said. "I am not a genetically gifted athlete. I had to build what I needed to compete." At six feet, one inch, Weller is tall for a cyclist. The weight training paid off at his first major competition in 1975, the Pan American Games in Mexico City. Weller took home the silver medal. His next major race was one that many racers never manage to be allowed in the Olympics. Weller came in tenth overall in the cycling 1-kilometer time trial at the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976. In 1978 he won gold medals at the Pan American and Caribbean Games, took home the bronze medal at the Pan American Cycling Championships in Santo Domingo and another bronze medal at the British Commonwealth games in Edmonton, Canada. He continued to amass medals, winning the silver medal at the 1979 Pan American Games in the 1K time trial. The same year he was named Jamaica's Athlete of the Year. In 1980 he brought home the Bronze Medal in cycling at the Moscow Summer Olympics. The accomplishment was the first medal won for Jamaica in any sport aside from track and field. It was also the first time since 1936 that a Western Hemisphere cyclist had won an Olympic medal. He was awarded a citation by the Ministry of Sports and "The Order of Distinction" by the Prime Minister. Weller once again was named Jamaica's Athlete of the Year. Deciding he wanted to graduate from college in 1982, he cut back on competitions. By then he was living in Florida and was studying aircraft maintenance technology and management on a scholarship provided by Air Jamaica. Expectations were high for Weller to continue improving, despite the decrease in the number of competitions he entered. He concentrated his efforts on training and was able to maintain his number-one ranking. By 1983 he was once again adding more medals to his collection, winning a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela. In 1984 he was seeded first in the world and was preparing to race in his third Olympic competition. Regarding the pressure he was under he says, "I had everything to lose by not keeping my focus. My competitors had nothing to lose." Just seven weeks prior to the Games, an accident while training in Columbia resulted in a compound fracture. Many in serious competition are faced with choices when they are injured or are perceived to be losing their edge. Weller was offered a chance to be treated with performance improving drugs. However, he stated emphatically, "My personal integrity would not allow me to take that direction." Although recovering from his injuries, he felt strong enough to participate in the Olympics. He came in sixth in the race. "Here I am in 2002 - and every year I am glad I didn't fall victim to the temptation," said Weller. "You must be true to your self. I know that if I had not crashed I could have taken home a medal. But I did the right thing and am more satisfied with myself because of that decision." Weller retired from competitive cycling in 1984. In 1985 he started coaching in Miami. Two of his students went on to win first and third in the World Masters Championship. In 1991, his work transferred him to the Atlanta area and Weller and wife, Donna, moved to Sharpsburg. As he has done since his early years, Weller continues to train. He and Donna are members of Gold's Gym Peachtree City West and both workout regularly. Weller didn't give up on his coaching; he is currently training from 12 to 20 people on a regular basis. Living in a new area, his training sideline started with one student. In 1991 while working out he got into a conversation with a gentleman who, at the age of 38, wanted to go to the team trials in Minneapolis. Weller worked with John James and helped him to attain one of his life's dreams - he qualified for the Olympic trials in 1992. Within a short time, people began to hear that he was in the area and began asking him to help them improve their cycling skills. Weller started the Atlanta Velo Cycling Team, based in Atlanta. The team has been nationally ranked for the past six years. Weller works with the cyclists both on the road and in the gym. Some meet him on a regular basis to train at Gold's Gym. Currently ten of his cycling students are working with him at the gym. They also meet in Peachtree City for many of their rides. The bike paths are not conducive for their bikes or for high-speed rides, so they ride the roads around Fayette and Coweta counties. Weller says he tries to train in the gym at least three to four times a week personally, in addition to biking. "My personal regiment includes lots of cardiovascular training," he said. "Stretching, pushups, calisthenics are all part of my way of life." He also spends time in the free weight area. Until recently when he became a "victim of the 9-11 tragedy," he held down a full-time job as an aeronautics engineer. He spends quality time with his two young sons, Austin and Spencer. And, wife Donna is high on his list of priorities as well. "Having a wife like Donna certainly helps. She runs and works out as much as I do," he said. "Training for both of us is driven by kid duties. They take precedence." Weller is currently working with two women he feels have a strong shot at the 2004 Olympics, Tracy Sproule and Shannon Hutchison. Sproule began training with Weller while she lived in North Carolina. She would drive to Atlanta every Friday and return home on Sunday. She finally moved to the area to be near her coach. Cycling has taught Weller many valuable life lessons, which he willingly shares with those who spend any time talking with him. He talks about values, goals, and he definitely knows how to get results from those he works with. A number of his students have gone on to the Olympics and other ranked races. He places a lot of stock in having enthusiasm for what you are doing, and for having a strong support network. He says the value of his Olympic experience grows even more as he coaches others. He speaks often regarding the sacrifices made by not just athletes while they are training for competition, but their families and friends. However, he notes, "You almost have to be obsessive. I learned at an early age that there is nothing significant to deter you from attaining your goals, despite the obstacles." Although he has officially retired from competition, Weller still has what it takes to win. When he decided to "dabble" at racing again in 1995, his dabbling resulted in two titles in the Eastern Regional Masters races. The next time you see a group of bikes whizzing down the street, watch closely. You may just be seeing a future Olympian. You may also be seeing a Bronze medalist spurring the cyclists on.
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