Scandinavian swap
HIS elder brother has just finished up in Sweden with two silvers in tow and now it is Alastair Chalmers’ turn to challenge – and maybe surpass – this impressive double.
Alastair recently flew out to that same country to start a European U20 Championships campaign in which he will race the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay, chasing gold medals in both.
In his individual discipline, his 50.07sec. personal best still stands as the European age-group lead and means that he will line up as the one to beat.
But the 19-year-old will not be resting on his laurels.
‘It’s going to be hard, of course; it’s the Europeans and I’ve just got to believe in my training and what I’ve done throughout the whole year,’ said Chalmers.
‘Hopefully everything comes together at just that right time and I can really bring home that gold medal for everyone, so yeah, it’s going to be great.’
Chalmers remains somewhat tight-lipped about his time goals, but the prospect of a sub-50sec. clocking is an exciting one, and so all eyes will be on the clock at Ryavallen Athletics Stadium.
And the focus for the relays will be on upgrading the colour from his brilliant bronze at last year’s World Junior Championships.
‘I of course really want to win the 400m hurdles, firstly, because I’m there individually for that,’ he added.
‘If I can win that and then on the Sunday be in the team for the winning “4x4”, that would be incredible for me, because I won the “Worlds” bronze last year.’
Chalmers’ first hurdles heat is at 11.58am BST on Friday, with both finals on Sunday, with streaming available via the European Athletics website.
