Lavin ‘in best shape’ to take on hurdling’s elite

SARAH LAVIN will be one of the first Irish athletes on the track when the World Indoor Championships begin in Belgrade this Friday, and the Limerick native believes she has never been in a better place.

Last month, she competed against the cream of sprint hurdling in the Millrose Games in New York, such as Jamacia’s Britney Anderson and American world record holder Kendra Harrison, before taking an impressive third at the World Indoor Tour meet in Madrid. The next target is to break 8.0s for the 60m hurdles, which she may need to do in order to reach the final.

Lavin (below, announcing Permanent TSB as Ireland Olympics and Paralympics sponsor) rebounded from the disappointment of her first Olympics in Tokyo to enjoy an excellent late summer on the track. And she spent the winter training with top European hurdlers in Tenerife.

‘I carried on after the Olympics, and got into a few A Grade meets, which is what I needed to do.

‘I just wanted to create the hunger a little bit. And then, last November, I went out to Tenerife to train with other European hurdlers – French, Hungarians, Germans. It was good to be in that environment,’ said Lavin. ‘I came home for Christmas and my coach came back out with me after it.

‘And I have just been living the dream ever since, to be honest.

‘I went to the Millrose Games and that is where I want to be, in the top races in the world, competing against the top athletes.

‘I want to be in with the best of the best, that is where I want to be.

‘I have no interest in winning lowlevel races.

‘I want to be lining up against the world record holder, the world champion, the NCAA champion.

‘And I have exposed myself to those situations in the last few weeks. And it will hold me in good stead for these championships.

‘I have never been in better form before a championship. Will probably have to make 7.9 to get to the final, but that is what I am aiming for.’ Ireland squad for world Indoor championship: Sarah Lavin (60m hurdles), Molly Scott (60m) Phil Healy (400m, 4 x400m relay), Sophie Becker, Sharlene Mawdsley, Roisín Harrison, Catherine McManus (all 4 x 400m relay) Siofra Clerigh Buttner (800m), Sarah Healy (1500m), Israel Olatunde (60m), Mark English (800m, 4 x 400m relay), Cillin Greene, Robert McDonnell, Cathal Crosbie, Brian Gregan, Chris O’Donnell (all 4 x400m relay), Andrew Coscoran, Luke McCann (both 1500m), Darragh McElhinney (3000m).