Athletics NewsWhatever David Gillick originally thought about the European Indoor Championships quickly changed after his sensational Irish indoor record over 400 metres in Germany on February 6th.
In his first indoor race of the season, Gillick cruised to victory in 45.91 seconds, knocking a large chunk off the Irish record and an even larger chunk off his personal best. He had gone to the small meeting in Düsseldorf merely seeking a test of fitness after a heavy block of winter training, yet ended up producing the fastest time in the world for 2007, which was only recently surpassed.
Of most significance was that he improved the Irish record of 45.99, which Paul McKee ran to take bronze at the World Indoor Championships in 2003, and improved his own best of 46.17 seconds clocked en route to winning the European title in Madrid two years ago.
Still only 23, Gillick was intending to have a low-key indoor season, and defending his European title in Birmingham certainly wasn't a high priority. But he is clearly benefiting from his move last October to Loughborough, England, where he now works under the British coach Nick Dakin, who agreed that Birmingham should now be targeted.
His 45.91 was the highlight of the meeting, staged on a temporary track in a small sports hall. Starting in the outside lane, Gillick slipped into the lead after the first 200-metre lap, passed in 21.36, and in the end comfortably held off the leading German, Bastian Swillims, a former European junior champion, who was also rewarded with a personal best, 46.07.
Reigning World Indoor champion Derval O'Rourke, meanwhile, has confirmed her intention to skip Birmingham and focus all her efforts this year on the World Championships in Osaka in August.
"I am running really well at the moment and have been pleasantly surprised with how much progress I have made over the winter months," said the world champion over the 60-metres hurdles.
"It is very tempting to go and run the European Indoors, as I know that I could go well there and potentially win a medal. However, I have to be disciplined and look at the bigger picture. The indoor season will be over in a matter of weeks. This is a conscious, calculated and professional decision with my future performance in mind.
"Thankfully, I have a great support team around me, who make these types of decisions all the easier, with my focus being on getting strong for the forthcoming outdoor season."
