Editor's Letter
Latest News
More news articles Greene gunning for glory at Euros
David Greene starts as the outright favourite for gold in the 400m hurdles and the Welshman talks of the possibility of a UK record at the European Championships
© Mark Shearman
DAVID GREENE has come on leaps and bounds in the past 18 months and after making the final at last year’s World Championships, the UK 400m hurdles champion is arguably one of the strongest pre-competition favourites over all events at the European Championships.
The Welshman holds the five fastest times in Europe and his season’s best of 48.49 is more than half a second faster than European No.2 Fadil Bellaabouss and Greene, who’s been under 49-seconds three times this year, is carrying this confidence to the start-line.
Greene told AW: “After the year I had last year, I am not frightened to go out and attack the races. I know I have those times within me and it is the confidence. You are not chasing times – because you know you should be there. It is a different feeling.”
Greene, whose pre-2009 PB stood at a modest 49.53, has put his broad improvement in the past two seasons down to the tutelage of Malcolm Arnold:
“Malcolm has brought a good consistent programme that’s about peaking through the season.
“I am stronger than I was last year and he (Malcolm) brings a good mental attitude to the training. I had it before, but it is even better when your coach has it for you.”
Greene, who defended his European Team Championships crown and his UK title, improved his 400m PB to 46.38 at the Welsh Championships and while this indicates a possible revision of his PB of 48.27, Greene hasn’t ruled out breaking the UK record of 47.82, which was set by Kriss Akabusi on this track at the 1992 Olympic Games.
“It will be a fast track there, nice weather, good competition, great adrenaline, and with a GB vest on. It will be in the back of my mind whether I can break the record.
“I ran 48.4 in Lausanne from lane eight and I made a few mistakes. But I am looking forward to Barcelona because I know I can go faster.
“I know I have the potential to, but it is whether I can get it right on the day.”
See this week’s Athletics Weekly for in-depth previews of the European Championships
Read Athletics Weekly Online: Click here for a Free Trial
