Thrower will not chuck it all now . . .
Having once sought distance from sport, Bennett has recovered form and ambition
CHRIS BENNETT looks back on his annus horribilis with memories of beloved figures now departed. These were the worst of times for the hammer thrower, a year beset with questions over his own physical state. However, those concerns diminished quickly as the two most influential men in his life succumbed to their own mortality.
Two years on, as he prepares to pursue a UK title today at the British Athletics Championships in Birmingham, Bennett appears a much more positive figure, although his private anguish endures. “I’ve had to get back on track,” the Glaswegian said simply.
Back to the prominence he found in early 2012 when distances were coming easily and the possibility of hauling himself into the frame for the Olympic Games did not seem out of reach. An injury would derail his chances, though. Then aged 21, he took solace in the conviction that time was on his side.
There would be no wallowing in self-pity, not after watching as his parents coped with his father’s epilepsy condition and especially not when a sudden deterioration in his kidneys caused doctors to estimate that his dad had less than a year to live.
“I couldn’t think about athletics,” said Bennett. “I did one competition without training for it and I came close to a personal best. But I felt I didn’t want to carry on and a week later my dad died. It was a shock to the system, even if it was a relief for him because he was in so much pain. My mum was an absolute wreck.
“It was so tough dealing with him declining so quickly. It took me a while to get back into things and it was half-hearted.”
The death of his coach, Alan Bertram, barely nine months later, delivered a jolt to a tight-knit group of throwers which also included Andy Frost and Susan McKelvie. Already fragile, Bennett was due in Portugal for a competition less than 24 hours after the funeral. “I didn’t want to go. I just didn’t want to do the sport,” he said.
It took a gentle intervention from Stephen Maguire, the Scottish Athletics director, to ease Bennett off the floor, sending the athlete to see a psychologist. “She didn’t judge me and it was amazing because it lifted me up again. The fire’s now back in my belly,” he said.
It is now six weeks since he set a personal best of 71.37 metres and his rehabilitation has been completed under the watch of Mick Jones, who claimed the hammer gold medal for England at the 1996 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. Their relationship has precipitated a commute each Saturday to Sussex, where Jones lives, to soak up his wisdom and enthusiasm.
“I’ve also competed less which is new for me,” added Bennett. “I’m not competing every weekend but that’s meant I can get some solid training in and so when I go to competitions, there’s a real sense of purpose.”
He hopes that the rewards will be evident this afternoon. A shade over three metres separates the top five in the UK rankings, with Frost and Mark Dry reinforcing the Scottish challenge to the English pair Nick Miller and Alex Smith. “It’s going to be a scrap,” said Bennett. “It’s a nice preview for the Commonwealths because five of us are ranked in the top six for that.”
Elsewhere today, Eilish McColgan will attempt to defend her 3000 metre steeplechase title, while Eilidh Child will seek her maiden crown in the 400m hurdles and also a place in the British team for August’s European Championships.
“This will be the first time I’ve gone in as favourite. That’s added some expectation but I knew it would be there and I know if I nail my stride pattern, I should run well,” she said.
Laura Muir last night led a contingent of four Scots into today’s 1500m final, despite finishing behind Hannah England in her heat. The European junior medallist was joined by Jo Moultrie, Morag McLarty and Laura Dunn, who set a personal best in sixth place to advance.
Guy Learmonth’s lunge for the line also paid off as he made the cut for the 800m final by finishing as the fourth of the fastest losers. Jamie Bowie progressed into the 400m semifinals in fourth place in his heat.