Ovett's record in Cragg's sights as a confidence booster
AFTER proving that he's right back on track with another massive personal best (PB) midweek, Alistair Cragg is contemplating one more big race before the World Championships, an audacious bid at Steve Ovett's 29-year-old European two-mile record at Crystal Palace next Friday.
After setting a new 5,000m PB (13:07.10) in Belgium last Saturday and then knocking six seconds off his 3,000m PB (7:32.49) behind Kenenisa Bekele (7:29.32) and Uganda's Moses Kipsiro (7:32.03) in Monte Carlo on Wednesday, Cragg seems to have regained his racing confidence at just the right time.
He now tops the European rankings at 3,000, 5,000, 10,000m and is thinking seriously about a bid to break Ovett's 8:13.51 mark on August 3. Cragg is particularly keen to get a good look at Australian star Craig Mottram (who has an 8:03.50 PB).
"I've raced the Africans, but Mottram's a real medal contender too. If I can mix it up with those guys before I go to Osaka, I'm going to have the world of confidence," he said.
He is one of 14 Irish athletes who have already clinched their places for Japan but others are still trying to qualify before the August 8 deadline. Thomas Chamney, Liam Reale, Martin Fagan and Orla Drumm (1,500m) are among them, all racing in Huesden tomorrow where David Gillick, Mary Cullen and Derval O'Rourke also compete.
Cullen was fourth in a 5,000m in 15:08 in Liege midweek while O'Rourke was second in Finland in 13.32.
James Nolan and Gary Murray race in Zaragoza tomorrow and Paul Hession is doing the sprint double in Thessalonika on Monday. Joanne Cuddihy races in Gothenburg next Wednesday, as does new double Irish champion Dave Campbell, probably at 1500m.
Proof that the next generation is in rude health came with this week's success at the European Youth Olympics as Omagh's Noel Collins won silver in the 2,000m steeplechase and Waterford's Niamh Whelan bronze in the 100m.
Both hit personal bests and there were a raft of PBs also by four Irish (Amy Foster, Suzanne Huet, Jessie Barr and Eoin Hannon) at the recent European Juniors, plus Joe Sweeney at the European U23s, where he was eighth, and Mark Christie, sixth after reinstatement, in the 5,000m.
The general public may dream of medals, but getting PBs and making finals at major championships remains the best barometer that all are maximising their potential.
- Cliona Foley
