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Osaka Diary Number 10.
The three Irish athletes in competition at the semi-final stage
on day five failed narrowly to progress to
their respective finals all giving a good account of themselves that is
David Gillick in the 400m, Paul Hession in the 200m, and Mary Cullen in
the 5km.
The key element with the guys was the sheer
disappointment at not making it. This is such a change in perspective in
just a year. I pointed out to them when we got back to hotel at midnight
where they stood and in the real world they can now
realistically target the
Olympic final and work towards that goal.
Tomorrow it's final day for Eileen O Keeffe in the hammer and Alastair
Cragg in the 5k heats.
It was 11:15 pm and I was still in the warm up stadium waiting to gather
the troops; not many around and along came Ricky and Marian so
delighted;
tired yes, but what an exciting night for them. Ww hugged and I was
proud of them.
They had 1st and 2nd in the 400m women, 3rd in the 1500m with
an athlete they work with daily and a medal in the hurdles and the
thought of Bolt, another of their squad, in the 200m final. Plus the
5000-m to
come. They were heading to Murphy's pub to celebrate; the owner does not
know what is going on; it's packed out every night.
I had the task throughout the day of refusing
numerous requests to talk to Eileen O Keeffe. No interviews and no
distractions; she's in the final now has got to respond to that challenge as
qualification is in the past. I instructed all to cut out the back
slapping. Get on with the job.
Alastair has waited patiently and its
action tomorrow in a tough qualifying heat. Procedure is
five + five to come through. It's the
Africans v Cragg and Mottram. Let's see.
Interesting winner of the 400m tonight as I remember a night some years
ago being in Daegu, South Korea for world student 400m final not an inch
between herself and Joanne just then. I personally believe Joanne can
run sub-50; hopefully in Beijing.
David Campbell is really doubtful for 800m; we will make a decision in next 9
hours when I have a meeting with with the medical officer.
Going to sleep now its after 1 am. I am physically handling this
challenge quite well thankfully but am
aware need to get into better shape.
Received the sad news the other day my niece died suddenly and being away
was difficult but am working through it and had the added difficulty of
not letting it become an issue with the team. Felt I handled it well.
The team have been brilliant throughout this championship and we are
getting to know each other better each day; that is so important. Pierce O
Callaghan has arrived and he is most welcome; we will use him on the water
station in the 50k and 20k women; the latter at 8am Friday local time.
Night night.
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