Starc a big chance for high jump world title
AUSSIE SAYS SHE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH BANNED COACH
BRANDON Starc won’t like this. What he did appreciate was getting through a 15-minute interview without one question about his brother.
He is so used to the cliche question about Australian fast bowler Mitch that he’s very aware when the tape recorders are turned off that the cricket star was not a part of the conversation.
Ever since his ability in the high jump put him in the public eye, every second, third, fourth and fifth question is about Mitch.
It’s not really an issue anymore given he hasn’t just started to step out of his older AUSTRALIAN Jessica Hull says she has had nothing to do with banned coach Alberto Salazar during her time at the Nike Oregon Project.
Hull was the centre of attention in Doha after her 1500m heat given she was one of seven athletes at the world championships with links to Salazar's elite training group.
The former college star said she had no dealings with Salazar since signing with Nike in July and instead had worked exclusively with his long-time assistant Pete Julian. brother’s shadow, he has jumped all the way over it.
Tomorrow morning in Doha Brandon is a very real chance of becoming the world champion. He is already the Commonwealth champion
"No, never. I have only been there since the start of July, straight after Prefontaine but all my work has been done with Pete and Pete's crew so I haven't had anything to do with Alberto," Hull said.
Salazar, who guided Britain's Mo Farah to six world titles and four Olympic gold medals, was sent home from Doha on Tuesday after the announcement of his four-year ban for doping violations. The US Anti-Doping Agency found that Salazar had been “orchestrating and facilitating prohibited doping conduct”. and last year beat all of the world’s best to win the coveted Diamond League crown.
The 25-year-old is a seriously big deal in the world of track and field and with the Tokyo Olympics just around the corner, a lot more Australians are going to get to know the younger Starc.
Starc appears to have timed his run to perfection after injury caused a delayed start to the year.
A bulging disc in his back flared in February which set him back and he ended up in a reduced competition schedule in Europe.
But a second place and clearance of 2.30m at the Zurich Diamond League meet in August was the sign that everything was back on track.
Starc is aware that he is in a career sweet spot given his age, progression and the fact Tokyo is just nine months away.
“I guess this year and towards next year, age-wise and maturity and how I’m performing, I think I am probably at my peak,” he said. “I could be better in a couple of years time but right now I’m at the best performing age.”