Monday, August 3, 2009
Chamney triumphs with a late surge
IAN O'RIORDAN at Morton Stadium
ATHLETICS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: NO ONE left the National Track and Field Championships in Santry this weekend more satisfied than Thomas Chamney. He defended his 800 metres title, earned the bonus prize of selection for the World Championship, and at the same time denied his fiercest rival. In no particular order. If anything, beating David Campbell to the title mattered most of all.
It’s a straightforward tale; two athletes, at the top of their game, going head-to-head for glory. What gave the 800 metres some extra punch is that Chamney, back in the starring role, has all the characteristics of a leading man. It’s not just a race, it’s a performance, and the 25-year-old Dubliner, it seems fair to say, doesn’t mind playing up his part.
What is certain is that Chamney and Campbell have the most intense rivalry in Irish athletics. Two years ago Campbell won the title to deny Chamney a place in the World Championships. Last year the role was reversed, when Chamney got to go to the Beijing Olympics. Yesterday, once again, there was nothing between them, but after jogging the first lap and a half, when it came down to the home stretch, Chamney was that bit stronger, winning in 1:49.87 to Campbell’s 1:50.20 – and with that booked his ticket to Berlin in just 12 days’ time.
“Our rivalry goes back a good few years now,” said Chamney “Some people might say there’s a bit of bad blood between us about the Olympic selection last year. He did a lot of talking. I feel that maybe there was an element of him being a sore loser about it. So obviously I was fired up for it. He was fired up for it, because he feels he was wronged last year.
“When it comes down to that passion and emotion, both of us are really going to go at each other, hammer and tongs. Any time we race, I don’t want to lose to him. And he doesn’t want to lose to me. It’s great for the sport, but I don’t always look forward to racing him. It’s nerve wracking. He’s a great competitor. I’ve a lot of respect for him as an athlete.”
