Nick Griggs: 'I feel a lot stronger, a lot quicker, more confident'

Griggs was coached by Barrie Holmes at Mid Ulster AC who, following Griggs’ gold, did something that’s rare in Irish coaching – he recognised his own limitations and passed Griggs to someone better equipped to take him to the next level.

BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER: Nick Griggs of Candour Track AC, leads the field in the men's 1500m during day two of the 123.ie National Senior Outdoor Championships at Morton Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

This time, things are different. This time, everyone will see Nick Griggs coming. At this week’s European U-20 Championships in Jerusalem, the 18-year-old from Tyrone will start favourite for the men’s 3000m, a far cry from the last edition in 2021, when Griggs shot from anonymity to the top of the medal rostrum, igniting hopes he could become the next star of Irish middle-distance running.

Ahead of that event in Tallinn, Estonia, Griggs and his father had a Zoom call with Matt Lockett, Athletics Ireland’s National Endurance Coordinator, and Lockett was pragmatic in his outlook. “He said in this time, two years, we can be fighting for a medal,’” recalls Griggs. “We came off the call and I said to Dad, ‘I’m going to medal this year.’ And obviously I went and won.’”