Mack eyes middle path

Horton ponders program after silver

SWIMMING: Mack Horton has given the strongest indication yet that his future lies in the middledistance races as he gets set for what could be his final tilt at a major championship in the 1500m.

With the 800m to be added to the Olympic program in Tokyo, Horton faces tough decisions about his future and his silver medal-winning effort in the 200m at these Games could tip his hand.

Horton loves the history of the 1500m and its special place in the hearts of Australian swimming fans.

But he has to play to his strengths and having won medals in the 400m at the Olympic, world and Commonwealth championships, he will do whatever it takes to ensure he continues to improve in that event.

The Victorian has talked down his chances in the 200m in the past, saying his only drive is to be a part of the relay team.

But his silver medal behind Kyle Chalmers at these Games, won after he stripped almost a second from his previous best, could force him to rethink his strategy.

“I think I know what I can do but I’ve just got to work on it,” Horton said. “It’s going to help the 400m, so I’ll reassess my whole event structure, I think.”

Horton could manage the 200m, 400m, 800m treble at a major championship.

But the 400m, 800m and 1500m combination is a huge ask and there’s no point in sacrificing his speed if he is not going to match it with the best in the world in the longer events.

The Olympics are still two years away but Horton and coach Craig Jackson are likely to decide soon where his future lies.

“We’ll get through these Games and Pan Pacs and then we’ll have to make a decision where we sit moving forward to Tokyo,” Horton said.

Horton will attempt to win his first major 1500m title tonight but will have to overcome a lethargic effort at trials where he struggled to cope with a big program in the Queensland heat.

But with a full day’s break between the 4x200m relay and his 1500m final and plenty of time in south-east Queensland ahead of the Games to acclimatise, Horton is ready to push well under the 15-minute mark.

His biggest competition could come from teammate Jack McLoughlin, who claimed his first national 1500m title over Horton just a month ago in the same pool.

“Three years ago, when I first raced Mack at nationals he had 50m on me,” McLoughlin said.

“Then, it was about closing the gap. Now I’m racing him ... to win.”