Jobie Dajka

{{Infobox cyclist

| name = Jobie Dajka

| image =

| fullname = Jobie Lee Dajka

| nickname = Wheels

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1981|12|11}}

| birth_place = Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2009|04|04|1981|12|11}}{{cite news | last = Larkin | first = Steve | date = 18 April 2009 | title = Guilt should torment you, cyclist's father tells officials | work = Sydney Morning Herald | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/04/17/1239475050785.html | accessdate = 27 April 2009 }}

| height =

| weight =

| currentteam =

| discipline = Track

| role = Rider

| ridertype = Sprinter

| amateuryears1 =

| amateurteam1 =

| proyears1 =

| proteam1 =

| majorwins = Keirin world champion (2002)

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry| {{AUS}} }}

}}

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

Biography

Dajka received an AIS Junior Athlete of the Year award in 1999, and an Achievement Award in 2002 and 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/history/awards|title=Awards|publisher=Australian Institute of Sport|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721043322/http://ausport.gov.au/ais/history/awards|archivedate=21 July 2008|df=dmy-all}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/riders/2004/interviews/?id=jobie_dajka04|title=An interview with Jobie Dajka - What doesn't kill you...|publisher=cyclingnews.com|date=1 October 2004}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15637129-421,00.html|title=Jobie Dajka banned for three years|publisher=The Australian|author=Jeremy Roberts|date=17 June 2005}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.cycling.org.au/Content/NavigationMenu/News_and_Media/2006MediaReleases/061223_Statement_reg.htm|title=Statement regarding Jobie Dajka|publisher=Cycling Australia|date=22 December 2006|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912072325/https://www.cycling.org.au/Content/NavigationMenu/News_and_Media/2006MediaReleases/061223_Statement_reg.htm|archivedate=12 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}

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.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/cycling-star-jobie-dajka-found-dead/2009/04/07/1238869975215.html|title=Cycling star Jobie Dajka found dead|author=AAP and Jacquelin Magnay|date=2009-04-08|publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=2009-04-08}}{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25306594-1246,00.html|title=Cyclist Jobie Dajka found dead|date=2009-04-08|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=2009-04-08}}