Gillick tuning up for Olympic debut

David Gillick got his first taste of the Olympics when the Irish athletics team landed at Beijing Capital Airport on Saturday, greeted by smiling volunteers and some eager local journalists.

Political conflict and social tensions may surround China's hosting of the 2008 Games, but Gillick, although fully aware of the situation, insists the athletes are solely focused on competing.

"It's not something I really want to comment on, to be honest. I can't help what goes on in China," said the Irish 400 metres record holder.

"The Olympics are there, it's not going to stop me from going and competing.

"I've worked hard for the last four years. So wherever the Olympics are going to be, I'm going!

"It's unfortunate, all the negative press about it and hopefully it won't interfere too much.

"But I think it's going to be a great occasion in China and from what I can gather, the Chinese are well up for it."

Gillick, a first-time Olympian, is currently in Matsue in Japan, taking part in a ten-day training camp with his Ireland team-mates.

His 400m heat does not take place until Monday, August 18 and the Dubliner cannot wait to step onto the Beijing National Stadium track.

"It's great that the Olympics are finally here, I'm looking forward to it and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.

"It's just a case of getting out there and running to our potential - that's the excitement side of things and we'll see how it goes.

"It's a four-year cycle and you've major championships every year, everything leads onto this.

"The Olympic Games defines people's athletics careers, there's a lot of sweat and tears and hard work have gone into it (the preparation).

"I'll be very proud - competing at the Olympics is something that I've always dreamed of, representing your country on the biggest stage.

"Hopefully there'll be a few of us around for 2012 as well," he added.

Gillick reached the 400m semi-finals at last year's World Championships in Osaka and has had a number of 45-second runs this summer, including a solid effort at the recent London Grand Prix.

But he will almost certainly need to better his Irish record (45.12) in order to reach the semis in Beijing.

Gillick was satisfied with his final pre-Olympics race in London, where he finished third behind his Loughborough training partner Martyn Rooney.

"Tactically, my race didn't go the way I wanted it. But it was a good meet, great competition and I managed to beat a few people I'll be racing against in Beijing."

The 25-year-old will not be lacking support for his Olympic debut, with a certain suburb in Dublin 16 already beginning to empty.

"We had a few relatives and cousins up on Thursday (for a send-off). The parish of Ballinteer has been very good to me when I've been home and Ballinteer St. John's (my old GAA club) had a night for me as well.

"I've three friends that have cycled over (to Beijing), they left Dublin last September.

"All their families are coming out as well. So there will be a great load of us from Ballinteer out there."