Butchart: I belong with best in world
Andrew reckons he can mix it with track stars
Dunblane athlete Andrew Butchart insisted he belongs at global final level – despite feeling a little frustrated by his performance in Saturday’s World Championships 5000m final in London.
It was Mo Farah’s track swansong but he had to settle for silver as Ethiopian Muktar Edris won it in 13.32.79.
Central AC’s Butchart clocked 13.38.73 after making a surge to join Mo at the front with around 500m remaining, but was caught by half-a-dozen rivals by the bell.
It was a second global final in a row for Andrew, who finished a fine sixth last year in Rio at his first Olympics.
“It’s eighth in the world so it isn’t too bad a place to be,” said Butchart.
“I’d rather have been placed higher but these guys are fast.
“I was sitting at the back just relaxing and then before you know it it’s down to four laps, three laps... and you think: ‘It’s not long to go now and I’m at the back.’ I left it hard for myself but I’m on par with these guys – I’m meant to be in these races, so it’s not like I’m expected to come last.
“I’m expected to do well and I put a lot of pressure on myself. I moved up because it’s nice to be up there with Mo and the crowd really gets going. When you get to the front you get such a boost of energy from the crowd.
“And I needed that at the time.”