Hard Wired. Life, Death and Triathlon

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Fresh out of school and emerging as one of Australia's future distance running stars, Emma Carney found the sport of triathlon, and it was never the same again. 

With an unmatched record, she devastated the international circuit. Defined by a relentless pursuit of sporting excellence, Emma was known to detest losing more than she loved to win. 

At home in the cutthroat world of professional sport, Emma didn't expect a welcoming party waiting for her when she reached the pinnacle of triathlon. 

A fiercely independent athlete, fitting in and conforming was never her style. Rules annoyed her and Authority irritated her. That complicated things.

Emma's life is publicly defined by winning. Like sport, nothing is predictable. Success is fickle, life is fragile.

Her story reveals that international sporting success is about much more than winning. Courage is a constant. Hard work and dedication are vital, as are unwavering passion, belief, and desire. But there is more. 

Emma's story also raises questions: who is truly there when things go wrong, when the system fails? 

Who cares when you find yourself dying on the roadside, saving yourself only to then lose your sister, identity, self-belief, and hope in everything you once believed?

Cover:

Fresh out of school and emerging as one of Australia's future distance running stars, Emma Carney found the sport of triathlon, and it was never the same again. 

With an unmatched record, she devastated the international circuit. Defined by a relentless pursuit of sporting excellence, Emma was known to detest losing more than she loved to win. 

At home in the cutthroat world of professional sport, Emma didn't expect a welcoming party waiting for her when she reached the pinnacle of triathlon. 

A fiercely independent athlete, fitting in and conforming was never her style. Rules annoyed her and Authority irritated her. That complicated things.

Emma's life is publicly defined by winning. Like sport, nothing is predictable. Success is fickle, life is fragile.

Her story reveals that international sporting success is about much more than winning. Courage is a constant. Hard work and dedication are vital, as are unwavering passion, belief, and desire. But there is more. 

Emma's story also raises questions: who is truly there when things go wrong, when the system fails? 

Who cares when you find yourself dying on the roadside, saving yourself only to then lose your sister, identity, self-belief, and hope in everything you once believed?

 

The Authors

Emma Carney: World Champion | Sport Australia Hall of Fame Athlete Member | World Triathlon Hall of Fame inductee. 

Emma is an Australian sporting legend.  She has a strong public profile, renowned for her dominance of Triathlon.  There is much anticipation regarding the release of her autobiography.  

The details of Emma’s Sydney 2000 Olympic Appeal was highly sought after, but Emma never discussed the process with the media at the time.  Hard Wired includes two essays: one contributed by her father, David Carney, who drove the appeals process; and the other by sport historian Dr Jane E. Hunt, who presents a careful analysis of the documents and records relating to the selection process and three ensuing appeals (two with the Court of Arbitration for Sport). 

Jane Hunt is author of Multisport Dreaming: the foundations of triathlon in Australia (2014); more than twenty Australian biographical and historical book entries, chapters and scholarly journal articles; and more than twenty-five articles for triathlon magazines. 

 

★★★★★