Chanpeng Nontasin

[Ludongwei]

Chanpeng Nontasin's final standings at the Beijing Games may be irrelevant as she has already made history by becoming Thailand's first cyclist to have qualified for the Olympics on merit of her performance.

The Amateur Cycling Association of Thailand (Acat) was informed by the Union Cycliste Internationalea (UCI) this week that the Kingdom were awarded a berth in the women's road event. Acat then selected Chanpeng to represent Thailand in Beijing.

In cycling, a country receives Olympic spots based on their athletes' overall performance over four years and each country has the final say in picking their Olympians.

Based on the criteria, 67 Olympic spots in the women's road race event were allocated to 32 national Olympic committees with Thailand receiving one.

It did not take take long for Acat to decide to give the berth to Chanpeng.

''We agreed to send Chanpeng to Beijing,'' said Acat secretary-general Maj Gen Decha Hemkrasee.

''She is our best cyclist as you can see from her recent results.''

The 24-year-old cyclist from Sakhon Nakhon took silver at the Asian Championships and won gold at the 2007 SEA Games.

Chanpeng will be the first Thai female cyclist to compete in the Olympics. While Preeda Chulamonthon was the first Thai cyclist to have raced in the Olympics, he took part in the 1964 Games in Tokyo through an invitation.

''We are really pleased that she receives the chance to compete in the Olympics. She qualified by herself and will not be there by an invitation,'' Decha said.

It is an achievement for Thai cycling as most nations who receive Olympic berths are powerhouses in the sport.

In Asia, there are only hosts China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand who receive berths for the Beijing Games.

''If you look at the other Asian countries who get Olympic berths, you would know how difficult for us to qualify for the Games. This makes us very proud,'' he said.

''We tried to send our athletes to compete in as many big events as possible and it worked. Our athletes have improved considerably,''

Decha admitted that Chanpeng had a lot of work to do to become more competitive in Beijing and Acat will send her to train in China for about two weeks.

''Chanpeng needs improvement on her sprint to the finish line,'' he said. '' It will be good for her to practise on the actual route.''

In the women's road race, the competition is quite open and there are no dominant countries in the discipline.

However, Chinese cyclists are strong and they will have the advantage of racing on their own home soil on familiar routes, according to Decha.

China will have three cycling representatives in the Games.

Asked about Chanpeng's chance of winning a medal, Decha admitted that it would be difficult and finishing in the top 30 would be an achievement.

''But the most important thing is probably for her to finish the race. We hope she will be strong enough to finish the competition,'' Decha said.

My sons raced her in the US and I would love to support a Thai cyclist if I can be sure the money is going to her Any ideas? Thanks