Mottram: Aussie warm-up helps all

Craig Mottram believes Australian athletics will improve if runners arrive early to acclimatise to conditions prior to next year’s Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The 24-year-old Aussie, who in Dublin this weekend is chasing a hat-trick of Great BUPA Ireland Run successes, believes athletes will benefit by warming up for the next year’s showcase event in domestic races Down Under.

“We badly need foreign runners to compete here and help raise our own distance running standards,” said Mottram, who was the first non-African finisher in last year’s Olympic 5000metres final when he grabbed eighth place.

Athletics Australia new performance director Max Binnington insists selection for the Games will be based on participation in specified domestic meetings, which Mottram backs.

“It seems fair enough,” said Mottram. “I think the 5000m standard is 13 minutes 24 seconds, but the problem for our athletes is getting the right kind of opposition to achieve it.”

Mottram is the first Oceanic performer to smash the 13-minute barrier for 5000m – with a time of 12mins 55.76secs – and should have no problems qualifying.

This year’s Australian champion set his impressive time when narrowly beaten by Haile Gebrselassie in a thriller at Crystal Place last summer.

“But it will be hard for other Aussies to get it,” said Mottram. “They can’t afford to come and run and stay in Europe where the races are of a much higher standard.

“There just isn’t the quality to do this back home. That’s why I would like to see anyone who is contemplating competing at the Commonwealth Games, to visit during our summer season. I’m sure for the distances that need it, we could set up a race to help our athletes achieve the qualifying time.

“I think it would be great if the Kenyan athletes who used to visit regularly only a couple of years ago and others, are encouraged to get the mark themselves in Australia.

“Visiting early would also be an excellent opportunity to get acclimatised and used not only to our weather but get over jetlag. Believe me, travelling there can almost kill you. It takes a couple of weeks before you are really yourself again – and that’s another reason for getting here as early as possible.”