The team from Athletics Weekly meet the British athletes vying for a space on Team GB at the upcoming Olympics.
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00:00Hello and welcome to Manchester for our special Olympic trials wrap-up show
00:04with A.W. with our new sister channel ShotsTV.com. You can watch all of our
00:11Olympic mix zone interviews that we've done over the weekend on ShotsTV, even
00:16some of the best action and insights that we're going to come from Manchester
00:21behind the scenes, so stay tuned for that.
00:25Yeah, British champion, it's amazing, this is going to be my last ever steeplechase
00:31probably, definitely my last of the champs, so to get the win, meeting record
00:35fastest time, having no PB, yeah that's amazing but on the flip side it's just
00:40absolutely gutting to miss out on that B standard by you know hundreds of a
00:44second, but you know I can hold my head up high, I've you know I've left it all
00:49out there on the track as I always do, gave it absolutely everything and now
00:53I wouldn't change anything. Yeah obviously I'd have loved to go to Paris
00:57Olympics this year, I'm still you know I'm hoping that you know I can get that
01:02selection, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be in a world-ranking spot, I've shown
01:05you know my consistency, my form this year, I've done 8.21, 8.20, 8.19, 8.18, you
01:11know I'm running really well and I know that that's like that 8.18 today I can
01:15run a lot quicker than that in the right race, you know I had to lead the
01:19last three laps of that race today and I was hoping there would be a little bit
01:22more help at the end, so I know it's just you know it's just not it's not if
01:27it's just when you know I'd run quicker, so you know I'm still hoping that you
01:31know on the outside chance that I can you know get that selection there, I hope
01:36that they can look at the past and you know this would be the fifth time I've
01:39qualified for a chance and for it to be denied would be absolutely gutting, so
01:43I'm really hoping that the selectors can look at you know my consistency and the
01:47kind of shape I'm in and give me that opportunity you know I feel like I've
01:51you know I've earned it and I you know got that right and deserve to be there you know
01:56in Paris this year. In history I think there's only five or six British
02:01athletes in history that have run quicker than that time you know, so I
02:03knew it's going to be difficult but I knew that I was capable of it and I know
02:07that I can do it, it's just been you know it's hard to find the races you know
02:12the steeplechases and you can't race as often you've got to go around Europe to
02:16find these races you know so you know yeah it's tough but I know I can do it
02:22but unfortunately today was the last day in that window. I've always given it
02:26everything you know I've had a lot of opportunities denied you know not my own
02:32doing I've qualified for a lot of championships and you know the
02:36opportunity to run at them has been taken away so there is there is a lot of
02:39kind of you know what ifs if I had been able to go to these different races you
02:43know the different champs and that but you know at the end of the day I'm
02:46really proud of the career I've had and what I've been able to do. Yeah I think
02:50I've just got a process this weekend wait for the selection see what's you
02:55know see the decision that's been made and yeah and try and work out what I'm
02:59gonna do from there but I think realistically it's gonna be my last year's steeplechase.
03:05Well it was certainly a different one than usual, very messy, it sounded even messier what was going on behind me as well.
03:12And again you didn't go to the front today, was that a deliberate? Yeah it was a tactical decision, I already had the qualifying time going in, there was lots of lads who didn't so in my mind at least the
03:23onus was on someone else to do the front running, didn't really work out like that. So your qualifying time was that from the Diamond League last year in London?
03:31The window opened on the 1st of July last year and that was on the 23rd I think.
03:39I think it's been necessary over the last few days with where I'm at training-wise and also where I'm at experience-wise with racing the season to try something different.
03:51I think one of the big issues last year going into the Worlds was that it's been so long since I'd run in any sort of tactical way so I've had two experiences now where I've been in that scenario.
04:06It worked out well, I think you could definitely pick holes in it though, I think I ended up running quite wide for a lot of the second lap and I'm sure I'll go over it afterwards and assess what I've done.
04:20Did you feel like you were running a little bit too far at some points? At some points yes, but I can't complain too much, still got seconds.
04:29If you'd have told me that last week I'd have put my hand up, so I'm pretty happy with it.
04:35I certainly hope to get a few races in, I must be honest I haven't really looked at the schedule. I looked at it at the beginning of the season and then had to sack off the first few months of the calendar and just focus on trials.
04:48Now that I know what's happening, now that I know I've qualified I can go back and get a couple of plans together.
04:55Congratulations, silver medal at the British Championships and secured that Olympic spot as well, how are you feeling?
05:00Good thank you, I just wanted to come here today and I'll totally book my spot for the team and that's what I've done so I'm very happy that I've come away in one piece and booked my spot for them.
05:09I didn't tactically run it very well, I just panicked a little bit, people were getting clipped and tripped and things so it didn't run it well but at the end of the day I've got my space in the team.
05:19The other girls are so competitive right now, it's crazy and you can't make mistakes now, you know you make mistakes and someone's going to take advantage of that and Georgia had a fantastic race.
05:28She ran a great race and I did the best I could at the time but I've put my slots in there.
05:33I love championship running and it's very rarely I miss the championships but I just knew I wanted to base everything on the Olympics this year.
05:40It was sad to relinquish my title but Georgia got second which was great so we had another Brit on the podium but it's all about focusing on the Olympics this year.
05:48What's the plan from now until Paris then for you?
05:51I've got a couple more races but not too much, just back to training again, just back to building everything towards Paris.
05:57They're very beneficial in a variety of different ways, sometimes it's race experience, sometimes it's the pressure of being the favourite to win so it depends on what stage of your career you're at.
06:07I think if I was a younger athlete I would have done Europeans for the experience but I've done a lot of championships now, I was double European champion at that event as well so I just knew it was time for me to focus purely on the Olympics this year.
06:17It's hard missing out but I knew I just had to look at the bigger picture.
06:21I've got to be fast enough to do it, they're not going to just pick me so that's another reason why I came here today to do this and it's just nice to challenge myself over something different.
06:29Have you had time to reflect on the Europeans? Are you feeling any better?
06:33Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better. I feel like with this sport you kind of choose something, move on, it's something I'll look back on at the end of the season but I was really glad I made the decision to run anyway.
06:43And then there's the obvious US Trials that we've unfortunately seen Atheneu who is unfortunately out of it. How do you feel about that? Sad to see her not compete?
06:50I am, I was really gutted actually. I feel like people are surprised when I say that but I feel like I want to beat people fair and square and it's still going to be so hard about her there but it's just not nice to see a human response, it's not nice to see an athlete and a person go down like that and just be so upset so I'm sure she'll be fine and she'll bounce back.
07:08What do you think of that kind of US Trials, UK Trials system?
07:11Yeah, I feel like both have their pros and cons. I do like the US system because I do think it's fair, everyone's turn up but then if I was American right now I would not be doing the 400 so I feel like you take your pick don't you? Yeah, it just is what it is, all I can do is just focus on myself.
07:25Hi LSD, it must be a whirlwind of emotions this afternoon, talk me through what happened with the appeal to start with?
07:34It's been absolute chaos the last few hours, I mean we've been waiting around for 2-3 hours really and honestly I'm so happy it's gone through because I do deserve to go to Paris. I've been running amazing this year and my coaches believed I could run this time and to do it here on a wet day in Manchester just shows the levels that I can potentially go to next.
07:55I saw you pacing around inside with your top off for ages, you were kind of hugging people and I don't think you knew any decision at that stage, you didn't know what was going to happen?
08:03No, I mean the emotions through the roof, I mean any athlete in that situation, not just a normal kind of Diamond League or something, there's so much on the line here so just to get it approved and to have that time and that behind my name is just so, I'm so proud.
08:20What did it feel like when you got the DQ on the track?
08:24I mean it was sudden, Jesus, like what's going on? But then of course to run on the pro test I just locked back in and that's what you've got to do, you've got to have a strong mentality and lock back in and I know I was good enough to run this time but yeah it didn't phase me.
08:41Look at all my previous performances when it mattered, I never really let anyone down, I mean it was disappointing at the Europeans but I can't control guys running 47 and 48 low seconds to make a European final, the fastest ever, but the support's been amazing, I just love having so many people behind me because I show so much emotion and I mean I actually show a bit of love after the races, I don't just walk off, I love the crowd, I love the atmosphere and that's what it's about at the end of the day.
09:08You seem to have had a kind of wave of goodwill following you this afternoon, I think everybody has just wanted you to get to the games.
09:14Especially when I ran on the pro test, the crowd was amazing and afterwards, I threw myself across the line because honestly I wasn't letting it get that close. Back in 2020 in Guernsey when I hadn't gone sub 50 I threw myself across the line to go 49 and I did the same today.
09:29So historic, this is one of the best races in British history, I'm going to put it out there, this is outrageous.
09:38Josh, is this weekend more about not just the speed training but also that tactical mindset, getting that focus ahead of Paris?
09:45Yeah, you nailed it on the head to be honest, I'm so fit right now that I can make mistakes in the 1500m and be completely fine, I can't in the 800m so it's keeping me sharp and making sure that I just stay process orientated and make sure I'm not making many mistakes.
09:59And I guess when you see someone like Arthur Moe obviously falling over and not making the team in the US, I mean the middle distance, it's a crazy, no matter what form you're in it can be unpredictable can't it?
10:10I think that was everyone's welcome to the Olympic trials moment, it doesn't matter what you've done in the past, it doesn't matter how fit you are, these things can happen and our job is to make sure we put consistent performances together and that's the hardest thing to do but that's what people watch.
10:26It was a very big shame to see things like that happen but my teammate was able to come away with a win there and I think she deserved it so I was focusing on doing that race.
10:35And of course your journey in the sport over the last few years for anyone who knows a lot about you has been crazy, reflecting on that, when you first came into the sport and what you've done so far but the self belief that you can do as well, how do you reflect on that?
10:50I think just not putting limitations on yourself and believing in yourself and I surround myself with people that know I can be the best in the world and that's just kind of lying to yourself until you do it, it's like when you're falling asleep you have to pretend you're asleep first so I think if you act like a world champion and you have the ability and the right support system around you I think you can definitely do it but it's the 1% of the 1% so that's what I'm looking for.
11:13And that self belief, where does that come from?
11:16Family, upbringing, club system, Scottish Athletics, British Athletics, it's just when you're surrounded by world class things you become a world class person so I'm trying to give back to that as much as I can and take advantage of the systems that I've created so far.
11:28And finally for me, obviously you've signed up for Grand Slam track, what are your thoughts generally on that but the sport, the structure of the sport more so as well?
11:37I think as much as everyone else is talking, the world's talking and are excited about some change in our sport, it's been a little bit stale for a bit too long and I think it's always great when there's a level of competition that comes into these things and make sure that people are watching and we're grabbing as many eyes out of the Olympics as we can and once the Olympics hits and everyone's excited they know where to go and that's Grand Slam track.
12:00When you think of where you were this time, well last year, two years ago and now you're recording solid 4.7 jumps, 4.8 jumps, now 4.9 jumps, how do you reflect on that?
12:09Yeah it's just, it's all happened so fast, I think that I've said that a lot but I am kind of getting used to it now and yeah those 4.8 jumps are getting really consistent which means I'm getting to attempt those 90 jumps and you know the next part's going to be 5 metres and that's really exciting and definitely not something I thought that I'd be attempting this year.
12:26And the obvious thing is, what's changed in that period?
12:29Just lots and lots of consistency, you know I had a really really good winters training, I think that showed indoors and then just to be able to carry it outdoors, keep doing what I'm doing, build and build and build and just kind of see that through the season really.
12:42And when you think of, you know, you are now being talked as a potential Olympic gold medallist, I mean how do you even process that in your head?
12:49Yeah it's absolutely crazy, I try not to think about it too much although I do get caught thinking about it a lot, I think I just need to go there, jump how I've been jumping, focus on all my technical cues and that's what's going to get me over the bar, I can't overthink about winning it, I just need to jump as high as I can.
13:04And just quickly, so when you think about firstly the European Championships, obviously that was, I mean it's crazy to think that's a disappointment and then the British records, can you talk us through both of those?
13:15Yeah I think the Europeans was just a bit of a technical fault on my half, but it was a really good learning point for me and I'd much rather learn there than at the Olympics or a couple of other competitions, so although I was disappointed on the day on reflection, I'm quite happy with how it went and you know to come back in my next competition after that and break the British record, I kind of got those technical points in, made them right and I did carry that into today as well, so I'm really happy with how it's going.
13:42And finally for me, you know someone like Mondo Diplantis has shown in the pole vault that you take it centimetre by centimetre and he's shown what is possible, do you kind of look at people like that and actually not just what he does technically but actually how he carries himself as well?
13:57Yeah definitely, I mean Mondo is huge in pole vault and he's been I think an inspiration to every pole vaulter there is, he's just, yeah I mean he is the best pole vaulter of all time and yeah you can take a lot from what he does, I mean yeah just attempting world records each week is pretty crazy, I'm not quite there yet but who knows in the next few years.
14:16Louis, King Louis, I mean that's a pretty crazy story, I mean how do you process that?
14:22Yeah I'm still processing it at the moment to be honest, but yeah just trying to take it all in, not getting ahead of myself, staying humble and yeah just taking it all in my stride.
14:31When you started out this year, did you ever think like something like this was possible, where you run the standard, you know 9.95, you had the 9.84, the wind aided one but then you're now in the Olympic team for Great Britain, I mean it's an extraordinary story.
14:43Yeah it was like the first conversation I had with Coach Carl, he kind of put that in my head, like we're going to make that team for Paris so it was always a possibility and it's just crazy for it to happen now.
14:54So how's that relationship been and the importance of actually going to the University of Eastern in Texas?
15:00Yeah it's been massively important, it kind of put me in the right environment, surrounded me with the right people and like pushed me to like, I wasn't really being pushed as much as before so it just pushed me to my limits basically.
15:11And what's Carl like as a person and as a coach generally?
15:15He's a funny guy, he'll joke around with you and then it'll be hard on you if you're not doing the work so yeah he's a good coach, he's fair.
15:22I guess the obvious question is what's changed since to have such an improvement, it's remarkable.
15:28It was Coach Carl kind of got me in the right form, had the right people around me, I was getting pushed every day, working hard so yeah before I didn't take it that seriously but now it's like full time basically.
15:41And for anyone who doesn't know much about your story, obviously you come from Sheffield, not too far from here, what's the story behind that then?
15:50I played golf for a bit there so I was a pretty decent golfer until about 16 I was on a full time at that but yeah I just realised I wasn't good enough to make it so I went to university at Lancaster and then I dropped out and came to the States just for the opportunity to train with better coaches, better athletes and better competition.
16:09And just on that move to the States, when you think about the journey that you've had now, is it a vindication to an extent that that was the best move possible?
16:18Yeah definitely, at the time it was kind of like, I'm at Lancaster, it was a top 10 college at the time, so I'm kind of dropping out of one of the best colleges in the country to go try and do track and field so yeah at the time it felt like a dumb decision but it's paid off now.
16:33And just a last few for me, firstly what's the main difference between the UK and the US and the NCAA system?
16:40At Lancaster it's just like a one man show, it's just me getting on the bus to the track and yeah it's like 40 minutes there, there's no coaching, no one to train with, it's cold and wet.
16:51But in the States, living on campus, I've got like 10 guys who can run nearly as fast as me, I've got a better coach, better weather so yeah it's just like a no brainer.
17:01And finally for me, when you dreamt of becoming an Olympian and what were your Olympian memories growing up and actually what was it going to mean to you to be in Paris?
17:11It was kind of crazy because I was watching it in London in 2012 so it was kind of crazy, that inspired me a lot so to think that I'll probably be inspiring people, yeah it is crazy.
17:23Carl, when you first met Louis and he wrote to you, did you imagine that he would be in the situation now that he would be going to the Olympics in Paris?
17:32Well it's funny, when he wrote me, the first thing I did was talk to Sean Massongani and I looked at video of him and of Louis and I said gosh this guy's doing this, this, this, this, this, I can correct and I think he can run faster.
17:45So my goal for him was to make the Olympic team, now it wasn't like go win the Olympic trials or whatever but it was to make the team, I thought I could get him under 10.10 which would have been right there, it could have still been there today.
17:56But he definitely exceeded what I thought and I think the big thing is the NCAA, I mean I didn't even know a European had never won, I mean that's pretty bizarre to think and for him to win that and to run as consistently as he was that was to me the big thing.
18:12And then because of that I felt very confident here. With the way the team was set up and with Sean there, I didn't have to put the pressure on Louis, he was always going to be second leg and he was going to, you know, Sean's known everywhere, he's popular, all that kind of stuff.
18:24So it helped me with him because he didn't have to worry about okay I'm here, I've run 10.17, almost every team in the country I'd be number one but here I can just chill.
18:34And being in a city like Houston where everyone can get lost, it really helped and I think the big thing is that he was a good teammate, good kid, no problems all year long, low key, like I said his personal life is pretty settled and he does what he's supposed to do.
18:49Matter of fact, this is the first trip he's been back here in 18 months so he's focused on what he wants to do and that's why he's having success.
18:55Gina that move to the US, what's it like to work under Edrick and have that ecosystem there?
19:00Yeah it's fun, he's a great technician and a very intelligent and very precise coach so I'm just having a lot of fun doing a lot of new things and learning a lot and you know when you're coming into your third Olympic Games and you're on world champs, I don't know, number five, six, somewhere around there, it's incredible that I'm still learning and having fun trying new things in this sport.
19:18And I think that not only makes Paris really exciting but the journey towards LA and just seeing what the next few years hold for me, I think that's going to be great fun as well.
19:26My advice to the younger athletes, I've been given a lot of this advice actually, even to some of my training partners who have their first Olympics this week, it's just to really really enjoy it but also bring everything you need in terms of optimising your sleep, your focus and food.
19:42Because when you think about those three things, those are the things that actually determine your performance and if you've got those under control then you're going to have a great day. So definitely yeah, have fun but also be prepared with what you need to perform.
19:54I'm not going to lie, I feel like I'm dreaming, it's crazy, I can't believe I'm in this situation.
20:00I was thinking about this the other day because I was asked the same question and I think it's just that I've started to take the sport extremely seriously and kind of train like a pro athlete.
20:08Which I know sounds crazy because I'm still 17 but I just love the sport so much so I started to take nutrition seriously and the mental side of it more seriously.
20:17And you know I up my training in the gym, I've focused on more running specific techniques and yeah I think it's worked.
20:23And you're coached by Debra Steer of course at St Alden's, how's that been for you and that influence?
20:28It's amazing, I love her so much, she's such an amazing coach. Unfortunately she couldn't be here today but I was with Adrian Patterson, my other coach and I've been with them ever since I was 12 years old and they've really helped me flourish and grow in this sport and I think I'm going to stay with them for as long as my career lasts.
20:41It's really important to have a good set up and I've got such a good support system over there with them and great people to train with, we all really push each other and I just love it so much.
20:50I need to start getting ready for the change as I go into uni but I think I'm going to be ready to maybe train with another group and as well as them when I come home so we'll see how it goes.
21:03And that race today obviously facing someone like Gemma who's such a senior pro, obviously a major medalist as well, how was that for you?
21:11It was amazing, I mean I've looked up to Gemma for so long, I remember back in January we happened to be training at Lee Valley together and I went up and asked for a photo and to think that I was running against her today is crazy but she's such a lovely person and an amazing inspiration for so many 800 metre athletes and having her on my shoulder and we were pushing each other to the line was an amazing experience I can't even describe it.
21:32To call yourself an Olympian, I mean.
21:35I know, it's so crazy, I feel like that's just all any track athlete wants, just to have that to their name like whatever happens so yeah I know, it's amazing, I'm really happy.
21:45Are you able to break down that race then and what happened?
21:47Yeah, it didn't go how I thought it was going to go, I actually thought it was going to go out kind of hot like pretty quick but it didn't, I think we came through in like 220 something for 800 so I think everyone was kind of waiting for someone to make a move.
22:01It was a little bit boxy, there were a few moments where I got a little bit clipped and tried to make some breaks in moments where I saw a gap just because I've learned from recent events in Europeans that mistakes can happen and people can go down and you can get injured and stuff if you don't.
22:16So I'm happy with the moves that I made and I think with like 300 to go I just tried to stay engaged and then thank God I had another gear and that home straight.
22:24Yeah I think it was like I was doing a hill session in November in South Africa and I was doing some reps and like it was just going really well and Jen who's part of the training group so Jen and Trevor together with coaches just kind of grabbed me in one of them and was just like you can run the Olympic qualifying time like and they are very direct when they give advice like that like they only say things they mean so when they tell me I can do something like I believe it so I think that's the moment I was like okay let's aim for it.
22:52And the impact of Trev and Jenny Meadows as well, how's that been for you?
22:57Yeah I think it's the biggest factor probably in the improvement yeah it's not just the program that they have but it's also just the support and the group and yeah just everything about being in that team I can't imagine being in any other group and having this kind of breakthrough I guess so yeah I'm very happy and go for to be part of it.
23:19Finally for me what would the definition of success be for you in Paris as well?
23:26Yeah I think you know the Olympics are crazy and everyone brings their A game but I think we have such a good level of British middle distance here that at least it means you know if you're making it to the final and you're coming top three in the British Champs then you should be expected to make the final at the Olympics so that will certainly be the goal and yeah let's see how that goes.
23:56you