Ireland hoping for more golden moments

IT will be difficult for those following in the footsteps of Alistair Cragg and David Gillick at this weekend’s European indoor championships in Birmingham.

In a memorable half hour in Madrid two years ago they brushed aside the home town favourites to claim gold medals in the 3,000m and 400m, respectively.

As a result, when they arrive at the line this morning (3,000m heats 11.15am, 400m heats 11.45am) they will carry the burden of leading medal hopes on their shoulders.

Two years ago Cragg, as the fastest European, was favourite for the title despite the awesome presence of Spaniard, Reyes Estevez. This time that doubtful distinction goes to Bouabdellah Tahri who set a new French record at 7:38.41 in Stuttgart on February 3.

Cragg was then putting the pieces together to launch his defence of the European title. He was just after a disappointing run in Boston but when he turned to his home track in Fayetteville he responded with 7:43.30 run.

While this restored hope of back-to-back European titles, he was not at all happy after finishing fifth: “I would describe it as just an OK run,” he said yesterday. “It was not that my form was not good — I ran a really stupid race.

“I tried to lead the whole way. I had a rabbit out there but he was too far ahead of me and I was too far ahead of the others to know what was happening. Then, in the middle of the race, I decided to throw in a two minute 800 metres to take the legs out of the likes of fast finisher Kevin Sullivan.

“But what I did was take my own legs out and I paid the price towards the end when they came rushing through.”

However, he is quietly confident he can defend his title: “My training has been going really well. I have been working out extremely well and I know John (McDonnell) will have me right for the big race.”

Estevez had to settle for two bronze medals two years ago when his bid for a 1,500m/3,000m double fell apart, and this year the Spaniards will be pinning their hopes on Jesus Espana who lines up as third fastest entry with 7:43.36 from the meet in Valencia on February 10.

Mo Farrah, the newly crowned European cross-country champion and 5,000m silver medallist from last year, has already promised a home victory although his time of 7:50.86 from the AAA championships in Sheffield ranks him 12th on the list. He was a finalist in Madrid after finishing second to Cragg in the heats.

Mark Carroll, European champion in Ghent in 2000, played a leading role in masterminding Cragg’s victory two years ago and he returns to lend his assistance once again with a time of 7:52.07 which places him just behind Farah.

Mark Christie, with just two indoor races behind him, completes Ireland’s representation and he is delighted with the opportunity.

“It is a great opportunity, but I was very surprised to get selected. The European indoor championships were never my goal. The standard, on paper, was very high but I did not realise that the standard they had set was just a guideline.

“I was never an indoor runner. I think my only other indoor race before this year was in Nenagh when I was a 11 years old. I went to the AAA championships in Sheffield just to get the cobwebs out, as it were, and I surprised myself finishing fourth behind Mo Farrah.

“Then came the national championships in the Odyssey in Belfast and I ran better again and then got selected for the Europeans and I could not be going into a better competition. It is a great championships to find my feet.

“My ambition is to make the final and that is my definite goal.