Smith sets off south to improve
GLASGOW 2014 hopeful Allan Smith is taking a leap into the big time — by moving south to team up with London 2012 highjump hero Robbie Grabarz.
Smith is going fulltime and joining the Birmingham-based Grabarz training group under the guidance of specialist coach Fuzz Ahmed.
Sportsmail columnist Smith intends to be in his new digs within weeks — and can’t wait to start working with the man who guided Grabarz to bronze at last summer’s Olympics.
The Scot, who will retain some link with current coach Brian Roy, said: ‘This is a really big move for me. But it’s time. If not now, it will never happen.
‘The plan is to get down there as soon as accommodation is sorted out. Fuzz says he wants me to get something close to the track, because I’ll be crawling home after all the double sessions!
‘The key to this is training with a group and going fulltime. That’s the reason I’m going down there, to give myself the best shot of doing something special in Glasgow next summer.
‘I will still work with Brian here. He was my first coach; he’s done a great job and I will still turn to him for help. He will keep in close touch with the programme I’m working to in Birmingham.
‘But I have to do this now. I have to make the most of next year, go fulltime and take my jumping to the next level. That means training five days a week, double sessions every day.
‘It will be hard, I know it will. But it’s what it takes to be a professional athlete.’
Smith, who has come on leaps and bounds in a recordbreaking season, will have to wait until January 1 to find out the level of Lottery funding he is to receive.
As he prepares to make the move from fledgling to senior athlete, though, the jumper who represented Team GB at this year’s European Under23 Championships, is determined to push on.
‘I’m hoping my funding comes through for next season, that would be a good help,’ he said. ‘But I’m really just looking to get by. I’ll be so busy trying, I won’t exactly be spending much.
‘I’m now technically a senior athlete, even though I’m still eligible to compete at Under23 level, because there are no more championships at that level next season.
‘I know I’ve got some work to do to catch up with the big boys.’
EILISH McCOLGAN s et another personal best yesterday, as she finished eighth in the 3,000metres at the IAAF event in Rieti, Italy. The steeplechaser improved her PB for the flat race early in the season — and proceeded to knock almost two seconds off her fastest time, crossing the line in 8.47.79.