Nick Kyrgios needs to understand representing Australia is not just about winning, says Olympic legend

A SIX-TIME Olympian says he’d be happy to sit with Nick Kyrgios and share insights into why representing Australia at a Games means much more than just winning.

Nick Kyrgios needs to understand what representing his country at an Olympics really means.

SIX-time Olympian James Tomkins says he’d be happy to sit with Nick Kyrgios and share insights into why representing Australia at a Games means much more than being able to win a match, a fight or a race.

Tomkins’ offer came after Kyrgios withdrew from selection for the Australian Olympic tennis team on Friday, citing “unfair and unjust treatment” at the hands of the AOC in the last month.

The controversial world no.19 said despite a dream to play at an Olympics, and the backing of Tennis Australia, the AOC had chosen to “publicly and privately disparage me”.

“The AOC’s unwarranted attacks on me demonstrate the organisation’s inability to understand the circumstances surrounding highly competitive sports,” Kyrgios said.

Kyrgios’ move came after Australia team chef de mission Kitty Chiller warned the 21-year-old and Bernard Tomic that, after recent poor behaviour, the pair were being watched and the AOC withheld the right to not approve selections.

Kyrgios’ response on social media prompted Chiller to say: “Maybe he doesn’t really know what it means to be an Australian Olympian. It’s not just about winning on the court, it is how you go about it.”

Tomic withdrew from Olympic selection last month.

TA boss Steve Healy said they fully supported Kyrgios and said his “growing maturity was reflected in his on-court performance” this year.

Kyrgios’ withdrawal reignited the debate about whether Olympic selection should be based purely an athlete’s talent, or whether the AOC were justified in insisting on good character as well?

Nick Kyrgios needs to understand what representing his country at an Olympics really means.

Tomkins, who won three rowing gold medals and carried the flag at the 2008 Olympics, is now on the AOC’s athletes commission. He said representing Australia at the Olympics, and being an Olympian in general, was more than just about winning medals.

“It took me a long time to work out what the Olympics are all about,” Tomkins said.

“But now I understand. You are so focused on your sport when you’re actually doing it that you don’t step back and consider what it all means. You don’t understand all the amazing athletes who have gone before you, and that you are just a link in that chain, representing Australia.

“You have to understand who has gone before you and know you are a role model for future athletes as well.

“You are demonstrating the great values of sport to the world. You need to have that respect for your opponent and the referees and everyone who helps you get to that level. I think that’s really, really important. You want to be able to win well, but it’s just as important to lose well.

“Sure it is fantastic to go out and win at all costs, but there are actually bigger things at play here.”

James Tomkins (right) with the Oarsome Foursome.

Kyrgios complained no-one from the AOC had contacted him to discuss their concerns, but nor did the tennis star attend any Ignite or Aspire events put on by the AOC, where athletes learn about the Australian team’s history and value systems.

After the team’s disappointing campaign in London, 2012 — in and out of competition — Chiller has led a drive to re-establish the values and standards of behaviour.

“I didn’t realise what it all meant until towards the end of my career,” Tomkins said

“So if you can help some of the younger athletes and help them understand that “you know what, you are part of a big movement and an important movement”, definitely I’d be up for that.”

Olympic sprinter Matt Shirvington echoed Tomkins’ view, saying the work done on reconnecting Australian athletes to the past had fostered a powerful spirit for Rio not felt since Sydney.

“​Massive lessons were learned in London,” Shirvington said. “I was in London and I understand what team morale means for success, and it was at an highest low in London.

“For me as an observer and as an ex-Olympian for Australia, as it is at the moment, I haven’t seen the morale and the togetherness of the Olympic team since the 2000 Games in Sydney.”

Originally published as Nick Kyrgios needs to understand representing Australia is not just about winning, says Olympic legend