Chalmers certain he can go faster after 'Euros' qualifier
ALASTAIR CHALMERS is taking it ‘one race at a time’ this summer as he strides towards a very likely European spot and maybe even Olympic selection.
The European Championships teams are soon to be revealed ahead of the spectacle unfolding from 7-12 June in Italy, where the 24-year-old recently dazzled in the company of other 400m hurdles stars with a fast win at the Savona International Meeting.
Beyond getting the better of several athletes with significantly quicker personal bests – from lane one no less – his 49.10sec. clocking makes him the only British runner to have achieved the European qualifying mark so far this season.
Can he now forge ahead and hit the Olympic standard of 48.70?
The 24-year-old at least knows that there is plenty of time to be made in coming races.
‘I’m really happy with the win,’ he said.
‘I wanted to come over and demonstrate what shape I’m actually in. After being given lane one and it being pretty wet and windy, I just wanted to win the race.
‘To take the win against some of the top guys in Europe and the world was really good and I thought, especially in lane one, I battled with all the conditions and everything and showed how strong and resilient I am.
‘I put a really good race together and to get the European time, and be pretty close to the Olympic time, is fantastic.
‘Put me in a different lane – a nice lane five or something – and I would have definitely run 48.’
On Sunday, he races at the Ifam Outdoor Brussels in Belgium, which is a bronze meet on the World Athletics Continental Tour and hence another step up from his Italian success.
That sets him up for potentially a very big June.
The month starts with the ‘Euros’, which take place at the Olympic stadium in Rome.
On 29 and 30 June, Manchester will host the UK Athletics Championships, which are not only integral to Olympic qualification but will provide Chalmers the chance to win a fantastic fifth straight British title.
‘It’s all looking really positive,’ he added.
‘Training’s going well and I’m really happy where I’m at.
‘I’ve just got to stay healthy. I’m looking forward to it – one race at a time and we’ll go from there.’
