Doha dream ends in pure frustration for Gillick

DAVID GILLICK suffered a massive double blow at the world indoor championships at the Aspire Dome in Doha on Saturday.

Not alone did he fail in his bid to win a medal in a messy 400m final but he subsequently lost the $4,000 (€2,900) cheque he was entitled to for finishing fifth after he was disqualified.

The 26-year-old Dubliner was the victim of another clash with the American gold medal hope, Bershawn Jackson, which undoubtedly cost both of them medals and, yesterday morning, the IAAF officials expressed concern about Gillick’s indoor tactics, referring back to the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals, they became entangled in each other when they broke lanes after the first 200 metres. This time they clashed on the final bend when Jackson, who relinquished the lead to Chris Brown (Bahamas) at the bell, once again ran wide and Gillick, in the bronze medal position, saw daylight and tried to squeeze through.

Both of them lost their positions and their medal chances as Brown, who was twice a bronze medallist, stormed to victory in 45.96 secs and the gallant Cuban, William Collazo, overcame the disadvantage of a Lane 1 draw, to finish second in 46.61 secs with the second American, Jamaal Torrance, zig-zagging his way around Gillick and Jackson to claim the bronze in 46.43 secs.

Gillick finished fifth in 46.62 secs and Jackson sixth in 46.84 secs.

“It was too slow at the front,” Gillick said, as he tried to explain the disaster. “The boys leading weren’t quick enough. That meant it was always going to pile up. On the back straight I went by one of the Americans and got into third. Then a gap appeared on Jackson’s inside. I went for the gap and he blatantly came across me.

“He should be disqualified for that but he finished behind me anyway. It chopped my stride and it was just too late to get going again. I’m bitterly disappointed. I’m shattered because I really wanted a medal.”

There was worse to come for the two-time European indoor champion. The USA lodged an objection on behalf of Jackson and Gillick was disqualified for obstruction.

“I immediately lodged an appeal but they were adamant the decision of the Jury of Appeal was final,” Irish team manager, Patsy McGonagle, said.

“They expressed concern about David’s tactics indoor and referred back to the semi-final. They were not going to change their minds and, having seen the evidence, I could appreciate where they were coming from.”

Gillick, himself, disputed the suggestion that he was overly aggressive insisting there was a very thin line.

“I don’t think I was overly aggressive,” he said. “In an indoor final where everyone is fighting for places, you have to take your chance.”

Kelly Proper never got into gear in her bid to pass the long jump qualification round. Fouling the first, she cleared 6.13m on her second visit and then 6.29m in her final jump.

“I was quite disappointed in my last jump,” she said. “I was a bit behind the board but I thought it felt good. Obviously it was not good enough.

“I came out here trying to get to the final but it just wasn’t my day.”

Claire Brady from Celbridge made it through to the semi-finals of the women’s 60m but, despite having the fastest reaction time, she finished sixth in 7.40 secs and outside qualification for the final. The men’s 4 x 400m relay team finished last in their heat.