CLOCK’S TICKING
D-day approaching for Smyth and his athletics future
MARK Smyth is trying to turn the pressure into a positive in his “make or break” year.
Smyth, 25, is the national men’s 200m record holder and primed for the defence of his national indoors title at the same distance in Abbotstown today.
He would love to triumph by finally breaking through the 21 second barrier, having already come close to doing so this season.
The Dubliner describes doing so as a “non-negotiable” in his bid to get points on the board to get into upcoming championships.
His eye is on making it to the Paris Olympics this summer but, ultimately, it is about striving to make a full-time career out of athletics.
When he was younger, Smyth dabbled in running while he played Gaelic Football. That changed in time, but he knows he is coming towards D-day in terms of his future.
“I used to be a typical GAA head and without Kay (Bannon, his coach) bringing me in I wouldn’t have even imagined being an international athlete,” explained.
“I definitely fell into it and it’s certainly a make or break year. I’m getting older, leaving college. Time is ticking anyway.”
Smyth finishes his masters degree in Emerging Media in April. The real world beckons so how he performs on the track this year is absolutely crucial.
He is waiting to see if he will receive any pool funding from Athletics Ireland this year. Smyth hasn’t received any financial support from the body since he was a Junior.
“You have to apply but it’s at their discretion, who they think is worthy of it, I guess,” he said. “You have to run fast and hope.
“So it’s been quite tough in that regard because that’s where the bank of mam and dad have been chipping in to help out to go to races, with training.
“The scholarship through DCU has been helping out there.”
Something has to change for the Raheny Shamrocks athlete. He wants to make the change happen.
“I’ve been in college for seven years now between undergrad and masters. It’s kind of time, I think.
“I would like to step out into the real world and make some money, to just become more independent.
“I’ve asked myself if I could do that with the time I’m currently putting into athletics and they don’t really go hand in hand.
“It’s definitely a difficult question that I’m putting off until August, anyway.” Time is ticking and the pressure is on. Smyth stressed: “There’s no safety net now and it definitely makes you push on anyway.”