He stood, opened the curtains, and let the thin, bright sunlight wash over him. Yawning, he eased himself into his desk chair, taking the weight on his arms so as not to overstress his knees. He sparked up the software he would need to make Zoe and Kate’s training schedules for the week, and while it was loading he checked his email. The first email was from the locksmith, about his broken front door. The second was from his boss at British Cycling. Tom, it read, bad news. Late last night we received a memo from the IOC, who will shortly announce a change to the entry criteria for the London 2012 qualifiers. Only one athlete per Olympic nation will now be allowed to contest each sprint event in London. You will need to have a word with Zoe and Kate ahead of the IOC announcement, as obviously only one of them can now qualify. The email continued with offers of support and an assurance of a forceful appeal against the IOC’s rule change—complete with a warning against investing too much hope in that appeal.
