Jobie Lee Dajka (11 December 1981 – 4 April 2009) was an Australian professional track cyclist from Adelaide, South Australia.

Jobie Dajka
Personal information
Full nameJobie Lee Dajka
NicknameWheels
Born(1981-12-11)11 December 1981
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Died4 April 2009(2009-04-04) (aged 27)[1]
Team information
DisciplineTrack
RoleRider
Rider typeSprinter
Major wins
Keirin world champion (2002)
Medal record
Representing  Australia
Men's track cycling
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2002 Manchester Team Sprint
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Manchester Sprint
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2002 Ballerup Keirin
Silver medal – second place 2001 Antwerp Team Sprint
Silver medal – second place 2002 Ballerup Team Sprint
Silver medal – second place 2002 Ballerup Sprint
Silver medal – second place 2003 Stuttgart Sprint
Silver medal – second place 2003 Stuttgart Keirin
Bronze medal – third place 2005 Los Angeles Sprint

Biography

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Dajka received an AIS Junior Athlete of the Year award in 1999, and an Achievement Award in 2002 and 2003.[2] He missed selection for the 2000 Olympic Games, but competed in the 2002 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, winning the Keirin.

Dajka was sent home from the 2004 pre-Olympic training camp, accused of having lied to the enquiries into the Mark French doping affair. His appeal at his expulsion and later suspension was unsuccessful.[3] After this, he became disillusioned and became a very heavy drinker, and gained a lot of weight. Following a tribunal on 15 June 2005, he received a three-year ban following an assault on Martin Barras, the Australian national track coach. He also vandalised his parents' home and was put under a restraining order. After suffering emotional and mental problems, Dajka had a brief stay in an Adelaide hospital suffering depression and alcohol-related stress.[4] Dajka's racing licence was reinstated on 22 December 2006; his ban was lifted early in accordance with conditions set out in the 2005 tribunal- that he sought immediate medical treatment and completed 80 hours of community service.[5]

Dajka later regained his normal health and stopped drinking, and there was talk of a comeback. However, Dajka was found dead in his home by police on 7 April 2009. The cause of his death is unknown, but police said the death is not believed to be suspicious.[6][7]

Palmarès

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References

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  1. ^ Larkin, Steve (18 April 2009). "Guilt should torment you, cyclist's father tells officials". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
  2. ^ "Awards". Australian Institute of Sport. Archived from the original on 21 July 2008.
  3. ^ "An interview with Jobie Dajka - What doesn't kill you..." cyclingnews.com. 1 October 2004.
  4. ^ Jeremy Roberts (17 June 2005). "Jobie Dajka banned for three years". The Australian.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Statement regarding Jobie Dajka". Cycling Australia. 22 December 2006. Archived from the original on 12 September 2007.
  6. ^ AAP and Jacquelin Magnay (8 April 2009). "Cycling star Jobie Dajka found dead". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
  7. ^ "Cyclist Jobie Dajka found dead". The Daily Telegraph. 8 April 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
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