Learmonth dreads Olympic cancellation

GUY LEARMONTH admits he is haunted by the fear of having the Tokyo Olympics cancelled after running into the best shape of his life.

The Borderer, 28, produced his quickest indoor time to win the 800 metres at the 4j Studios Invitational in Glasgow by holding off world finalist Neil Gourley in a time of 1:46.73.

It was an ideal rust-buster, said Learmonth, who is now hoping to land an invite to some of the high-profile World Indoor Tour meetings in Europe.

Yet there is a worry that his hard work over the past four years could end up in vain if the Games cannot proceed.

“The whole lifestyle of it, all the changes I’ve made, I’m given myself four years of just everything,” he said. “Utter commitment, no distractions. And I feel like, if this year doesn’t go ahead, I’ve lost. I’m in my physical prime. I know the Olympics had to be postponed last year, because it was just crazy. But if it was postponed again this year, I think I’ll cry.”

Zoey Clark clocked 52.40 seconds in a mixed 400 metres with the world and European medallist satisfied with a first race for 16 months.

“I felt quick and relaxed and that’s a good sign,” the Aberdonian said.

Meanwhile Dina AsherSmith believes she has shaken off her missed year and the traumas of lockdown. The world 200m champion pulled out a second indoor victory in three days yesterday by clocking 7.12 secs over 60 metres in Dusseldorf as she continues her comeback from a long hiatus during 2020 due to Covid.

“My coach and I broke down small targets as we were going throughout the lockdown,” she said. “In terms of motivation, it was okay. We did training blocks, then focused on the indoors, stuff like that. Motivation-wise, it has been okay, and with the Olympic Games this year, you are always motivated.”

Next up is a meeting in France before her medal tilt at March’s European Indoor Championships, still scheduled to proceed in Poland.

“It will be great to get out there in a championship again. I love championships. It is the most fun for me, so it will be really exciting to get out there and perform with heats, semi-finals and a final again.”