An injury plagued career has been worth the sacrifices for track cyclist Lori-Ann Muenzer. She's going to the Olympics in the women's 500-metre time trial with the capabilities of a top-five finish. Muenzer made her first major Games team two years ago and won the bronze medal in the match sprint at the Commonwealth Games.

 Her first serious injury occurred in 1994 when she broke her collarbone at a race in Cuba. The accident ruined her chances to vie for berths on the Commonwealth team for Victoria in 1994 and Atlanta in 1996. She also had severe tendinitis in her knees which painted a bleak picture of the future. "I never thought I'd be back on the bike again after that crash," she said.

 Then last October she suffered another injury when she fell while mountain biking and didn't race for nearly eight months. She only trained for three months before the start of the 2000 spring season. At the trials in July, she defeated favoured Tanya Dubnicoff in the 500 to earn an Olympic spot in the event. She also posted two top-five performances earlier this season at a World Cup meet.

2000 Games
Sept. 16: Lori-Anne Muenzer, Edmonton, was 13th in final.


Photos
Dubnicoff & Muenzer follow the motorcycle

2000 Games Cycling Coverage