Final fling for Costin to grasp Olympic dream

Jamie Costin travels to Norway this weekend for a final shot at Olympic qualification.

Costin is bidding for a place in the 20k walk, having failed three times to qualify for his preferred event, the 50k.

“Unfortunately I did not make it at 50k and that’s partly own fault,” he said. “I had three opportunities and I was in very good shape all year but, unfortunately, I was sick at one race, the heat got me in another and, in the World Cup, it was over 30 degrees and I wasn’t able to finish it again.

“I’m in good shape but I have to set a personal best (to qualify). I’m 35 so we’ll see how it goes. I’m going to go out on a strong blast and hopefully it’ll work out. I’m looking forward to it because I have a lot of work done and this is an Olympic Games in London and I want to be there.

“I have one chance and I want to grab it. The heat’s a problem for me at 50k but for 20k it’s not an issue. It’s just unfortunate I’m 11 stone and everybody I race against — look at Rob (Heffernan), he’s 57 kgs and I’m 71/72kgs so I have a lot more to carry around and I sweat more. Once the temperature goes over 25-28C I struggle after two and a half hours because I sweat so much.”

Meanwhile Jamaica’s 2008 Olympic silver medalist Shericka Williams will contest the 400m race at the Cork City International Sports Pre-Olympic meet on Tuesday, July 17.