The World Indoor Championships held in Glasgow last weekend demonstrated that there’s no such thing as a “sure thing” in middle-distance track events. The women’s 1,500-metre race was a prime example of this unpredictability. This event could be of significant interest to Ireland, especially since athletes such as Ciara Mageean and possibly even Sarah Healy could be competing in the Paris Olympics later this year, assuming everything goes according to plan.
In Glasgow, observers saw clear evidence that runners who have previously achieved the fastest times don’t always secure the medals. This year’s prominent indoor 1,500m racers had six Ethiopian women among them, with each setting times well under the four-minute mark – which is now considered the standard qualifying time for a world final. Freweyni Hailu, Diribe Welteji (the current world road mile champion), and Birke Haylom were the Ethiopian contenders who started strong in Glasgow.
Hailu moved swiftly ahead at the start of the race, while Welteji and Haylom followed closely behind, creating an Ethiopian trinity ahead by approximately six metres. However, this lead changed as quickly as it had formed. The heated beginning at 62 seconds at 400m diminished, the next two laps completed in 68 seconds, causing the competitors to group back together, signalling the start of an enthralling contest.
The lack of a consistent pace made the final result more uncertain, forcing the athletes to strategize more. This allowed US athletes Nikki Hiltz and Emily Mackay to become serious contenders. Although two Ethiopians fell back, Hailu gathered momentum to eventually clinch the gold with a time of 4:01.46. Hiltz and Mackay trailed close behind, winning silver and bronze medals with times of 4:02.32 and 4:02.69, respectively.
Glasgow demonstrated that races full of strategies like these often lead to unexpected victories. This is despite the sport not having the same depth in terms of participant numbers as outdoor events or the upcoming Olympics. Among these competitors, athletes such as Femke Bol stand out. Bol set another world record in the 400m and continues to perform at the highest level irrespective of the season or the platform.
The recent athletic events provided valuable insights about the current preparation levels of athletes in this Olympic year. It particularly pertains to those who made a decision to participate, while offering a hint of possible future performances of those athletes who are still in a winter training hiatus, not yet ready to compete in a World Championship.
We also had an opportunity to assess the standing of Irish athletes and the amount of work that has to be completed over the forthcoming 140 days or so before the Games in Paris. It may appear a brief period, but actually, it’s just under twenty weeks or over four months.
Regardless of the perspective, it is an ample time for numerous alterations as athletes keep their focus on this year’s priority event. The strategic distance races offered a stark difference to the more usual paced events observed in the Diamond League.
One should also take into account the stunning performance of New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish, who to his own surprise too, managed to elevate his position from fifth to first in the final 20 metres of the men’s 1,500 metres event.
For many present-day athletes, the emphasis remains on achieving the highest speed possible at a consistent, predictable pace. This approach evidently results in a noticeable deficit of race experience when it comes to strategic competition.
Although some athletes may benefit from this, the ones who usually flourish in such an event are those who have had considerable exposure to similar race practices in their careers.
Given the fact that the United States hosts the most indoor tracks globally, it was apt that they secured four medals in the men’s and women’s 1,500-meter events last weekend. The US also won gold in both the women’s 3,000 meters and the men’s 800 meters, and clinched silver in the men’s 3,000 meters.
Most of these athletes have extensive indoor racing experience, and several possess a strong foundation in the qualifications and strategic racing capabilities necessitated at National Collegiate Athletic Association championships.
For Irish athletes who, for various reasons, stayed home, there could be questions about the implications of this for outdoor racing, and the tactical aspect of these races.
Then there are athletes such as Femke Bol who are constantly setting new world records, this time in the 400 metres. She consistently delivers top performances at any time of the year, on every stage. [ Sonia O’Sullivan: Training and consuming nutrients like an Olympic athlete once again ]
Despite lacking in breadth, the Irish squad has quality, as exemplified by Sarah Lavin’s performance in the 60m hurdles at the international level, making fifth position her top-most achievement at this competition. The relay team, who always generate a thrill, once again validated their place in the finals on the global stage. However, their performance suffered when one of their top athletes opted out of competing. Rhasidat Adeleke’s participation could have, in all likelihood, secured a medal. This has left us speculating about possibilities regarding the relay team again, a conjecture that is likely to be reiterated at the forthcoming European and Olympics this summer. Here, an additional three to four seconds could potentially separate a European medal from making it to the Olympic finals.