Brits ready to stand up for Euro selection
British athletes have to stand up and deliver this weekend in Birmingham.
The kick off in Barcelona on 27 July and results in the will play a large part in selection.
Some athletes clearly have their seats already booked - world champions Jessica Ennis and Phillips Idowu are bound for Spain whatever happens in England's second city this weekend.
But many others will have to make an impression on head coach Charles Van Commenee, who puts a lot of faith in current form and performances under pressure at major events, rather than numbers and records set away from public scrutiny.
Qualifying is as complicated as ever, with A and B standards for each event, and rules that allow selectors to exercise discretion to make sure the best medal hopes will be in Barcelona.
However, the standards the athletes have to hit are the same as those for World Championships last year and similar to those for London 2012. Often in the past the bar for selection to the Euros - in effect an easier competition - has been lower.
I can see Van Commenee's reasoning in setting tough criteria to act as an incentive but does it mean that some young prospects, who could feature in 2012, will miss the opportunity to gain experience at a major championships?
I was watching the action in Bergen, Norway last weekend for the European Team Championships and I believe we have athletes in form to do the business this weekend Birmingham, and to hit the predicted medal target set of 10-15 in Barcelona next month.
I used to love running in what was until recently known as the Europa Cup, a team event I once captained.
The pressure is on. You really don't want to get fewer points than are predicted for you; you don't want to be the one who is pointed at for letting the team down. It creates a pressure pretty similar to that for a major championships.
Coming second to Russia was a great performance by GB - .
So who stood out?
Colin McCourt - a 25-year-old Scotsman who in the 1500m - Mo Farah, Martin Rooney and Dwain Chambers - who - all shone.
Then there were those that stood out for the wrong reason. failed to make a clearance in the pole vault, giving ammunition for those who believe the British record-holder struggles under pressure.
All the ups and downs really set up an exciting weekend in Birmingham
Can anyone beat Chambers in the 100m now he is back in sub-10 second form? I think not.
UK number one Andy Turner , where Will Sharman will be his biggest rival.
It remains to be seen which of our women's 400m runners will even take part, as Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu missed the trip to Bergen with a thigh problem.
I believe there was a bit of annoyance among some of the relay runners in Bergen that they were not allowed to take part in the individual events, which would have provided better preparation for this weekend.
Ennis stayed at home last weekend, choosing to train for the seven events she will contest in the European Champs heptathlon, rather than the three in which she is currently the leading Brit at the moment - hurdles, high jump and long jump.
She tackles , including a head-to-head with the returning former Commonwealth and European medallist Jade Johnson in the long jump.
I want to see 800m runner Jenny Meadows - who missed Bergen with a sore Achilles - and triple jumper Idowu - who was second there and has been below his best so far this year - competing in the event which should always be an important part of an athlete's season.
Becoming UK champion always filled me with pride but if you want to do that you have to stay fit and deliver when it really matters.
Who do you think will be the star in Birmingham? Who will be Barcelona-bound and who will miss out?
Watch the European Trials and UK Championships on Saturday and Sunday on ±«Óãtv Two and the ±«Óãtv Sport website (UK users only), with updates on ±«Óãtv Radio 5 live.
I'm Katharine Merry, former world 400m number one and an Olympic bronze medallist at Sydney 2000. I'm now a mentor to junior athletes as well as working in radio and TV, and as a trackside presenter at major events. I'll be aiming to give you a behind-the-scenes insight to the world of athletics.
Comment number 1.
At 24th Jun 2010, ldsupa wrote:Hi Katherine.
I agree I don't think anyone will touch Chambers. Where in Simeon Williamson this season? Good to see Mark LF back but I bet Chambers goes under 10 seconds again.
I'm looking forward to the Men's High Jump, that's always competitive. Also looking forward to seeing Jeesica Ennis and seeing Phillips Idowu jump.
We did do well in Bergen last weekend and lets hope we see lots of good performances in Birmingham.
Do you know where I can see what the qualfying standards are for the events?
BTW........ Why weren't you out in Norway for the ±«Óãtv? You should be.
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Comment number 2.
At 25th Jun 2010, Jam wrote:Hi Katherine,
I'd just like to echo Idsupa's sentiments; we'd love to have seen you commentating for the Beeb in Bergen. What are you plans for the Euro Champs? I heard a rumour you were with Eurosport.
Just a quick query. Do you really think that no one can beat Dwain? If Lemaitre improves his start I reckon they're pretty similar. And I'd also just like to give a mention to Dai Greene. Here's a man I'm really looking forward to seeing compete in Barca. Also do you think it's about time someone like Luke Cutts was given a chance in the poll vault at a major champs?
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Comment number 3.
At 25th Jun 2010, macdizzle wrote:hey kath
obviously dwain chambers is a unique case as far as british athletics is concerned. He tested positive for performence enhancing substances and has since served his punishment for this. my question would be as the fastest man in the country do you think if offered he shoud accept any offer to run in the 4x100m gb team or do you think he should decline and only run individually since he has be shown little help from the brittish athletic association(understanibly so because of his past discretions)?
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Comment number 4.
At 25th Jun 2010, Katharine Merry wrote:Hi all.
Just a couple of replies before I fly over to Alexander Stadium for the weekend.
Idsupa. Simeon Williamson is sadly injured. He recently had an operation and may be back by the end of the season.
You can see all the qualifying standards at UKA on this link:
Jam. I feel Dwain has the mental edge. He is the man to beat this weekend and in Barcelona. If he delivers a perfect race from start to finish, as we saw in Bergen, Lemaitre won't catch him. I have a feeling from what I have read LaMaitre is more focused on becoming the first white man to run electronically under 10 seconds. (We trained in Australia a few times with Matt Shirvington and he mentioned had a $1 million bonus in his kit contract to break 10 seconds! He came very close with a best of 10.04s....but no cigar!). LaMaitre now is getting very close. I am sure Lamaitre will push Dwain and could capitilise on any mistake by Chambers.
Luke Cutts comes to Birmingham to defend his national title and I am sure we will see him soon step up further. 5.25m recently in Bedford in windy conditions. I will be a good battle again between these two.
Macdizzle
Dwain should be in the relay team. He is the fastest and we should have him in the team to win medals when we can.
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Comment number 5.
At 25th Jun 2010, juan-burgh wrote:Katharine,
Rumour flying around Jess Ennis is that she's ill and not competing???
Any truth?
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Comment number 6.
At 25th Jun 2010, juan-burgh wrote:Ignore me! I never scrolled down on the homepage far enough to see that!
Gutted now, my gf was really looking forward to watching her compete.
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Comment number 7.
At 25th Jun 2010, twinkletomaz wrote:Hi Katherine. Do you have a theory about all of our 400 runners. Male or female, they all appear to have struggled with chronic, sometimes career ending injuries. I could list loads, Tim Benjamin, David Grindley, yourself, Nicola Sanders, Derek Redmond, Iwan Thomas etc. Is this just the nature of the event or bad luck?
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Comment number 8.
At 25th Jun 2010, NorthantsGrecian wrote:Katherine,
was hoping for some field insight... guess not!
I was competing at an Open meeting in Birmingham earlier in the month and saw Tom Parsons clear 2.28m which I believe is the World qualifier standard.
Any other obvious field candidates to look out for over the weekend?
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Comment number 9.
At 28th Jun 2010, Katharine Merry wrote:Hi all.
I am reecovering today from a good weekend in Birmingham. We had great weather, a nice crowd and some good performances.
Dwain did indeed, as most predicted, win the 100m but James Dasaolu ran well for 2nd.
There were lots of performances that warrant a mention and I am sure those watching on the ±«Óãtv had their own stand put performances.
We did lose a few big names from the weekend due to injury or illness and even Mike Rimmer and Phillips Idowu were not feeling the best, but all the team for Barcelona will be confirmed on the 5th July.
happyscotsman.
Jess has a virus and is recovering. Her coach says she was being sick in the week, so obviously we all want her in tip top form for the European Champs and sadly had to miss the 4 events she had planned.
twinkletomaz
Yes we have been unlucky with injuries in the 400m event with the ones you mention.
The 400m is tough, the training is a real balance of speed endurance and seems to take it's toll on the body.
When I was training we would try and balance all areas. Maybe there is something in the fact of running all the time around 2 full bends at speed that clearly takes it toll on the body!
Maybe it is just the nature of the event.
It's not just British athletes that struggle though.
Jeremy Wariner has had his problems. Only this weekend he didn't finish in the final of the 400m at the USA trails.
Sanya Richards-Ross has been struggling with injury so far this season. She got through to the final of the 400m at the USA trials but withdrew.
Northantsgrecian.
I would have loved to preview each event in the timetable but there just isn't enough space on the blog!
The Men's high jump is one of my favourite events. It was set up nicely this weekend with Samson Oni having jumped 2.31 indoors (which is the A qualifying standard) and Tom Parsons having the B standard of 2.28 as you mentioned.
Samson will be disappointed with his efforts of 2.22 and Martyn Bernard is back taking the title in the B qualifying height of 2.28 with Tom Parsons being consistent again with 2.28 for 2nd. Time to hand over to the selectors on that one!
Your thoughts if you were around the selectors table?
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Comment number 10.
At 4th Jul 2010, G_K___ wrote:My prediction for the next Olympic 100m:
Gay Dix Bolt.
That would be a controversial outcome.
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Comment number 11.
At 5th Jul 2010, Katharine Merry wrote:G_K.
Gay, Dix, Bolt. London Olympic 100m final.
That result would be a surprise to many.Including Usain probably!
I have just returned form working again in Eugene at the Nike Prefontaine Classic and have to say the Men's 200m between Gay and Dix was brilliant!
Is this is what you are basing your prediction off?
19.72 to 19.76 seconds. Tyson still looks to be struggling with his fitness in terms of how long he took to recover. I interviewed them both together and had to squat down to where Tyson was recovering to get the interview!
It was not surprising since he has missed alot of training since his Manchester City Games Run.
He said he was pleased as it was his first proper race and Dix said he was sloppy on the bend!
How much more is there to come?
Surely though Bolt still has the edge?
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