Chalmers’ dream becomes a reality
CAM CHALMERS has realised his lifetime dream of Olympic selection.
Almost 24 hours after receiving that fateful call confirming his ticket to Tokyo, the Guernseyman was still somewhat lost for words today when his name appeared in British Athletics’ official team announcement and he finally had permission to publicly express his excitement.
The 24-year-old features in Great Britain’s 4x400m relay squad, assured of his place at the pinnacle of global sport.
‘It’s amazing – I’m not sure how I feel,’ he said just over three weeks before the 23 July opening ceremony.
‘It’s one of those things that I have always wanted for as long as I have done the sport, and it’s such an odd feeling to see my name on the team sheet that has just been announced.
‘It’s a great thing and it’s so exciting – it will start to feel more real in the next few days and the next month.’
The flipside of the announcement is that neither he nor younger brother Ala have qualified for the individual events.
Missing out on that long shot has not massively shaken either brother, with 21-year-old hurdler Ala putting his head down and striving for Paris 2024, while Cam eyes a potential relay double-bill in Tokyo.
The mixed 4x400m makes its Olympic debut and Cam has proven his potential of being drawn into that, alongside being on the men’s roster with the surprise British champion, Niclas Baker, plus Matt Hudson-Smith, Michael Ohioze and Lee Thompson.
Concerning the potential dampener of Covid restrictions and an unprecedented lack of crowds, the Olympic debutant admitted he has ‘nothing to compare it to’.
‘I am sure Great Britain and Japan and everyone involved will make it the best Games that they can given the unusual circumstances,’ he added.
