‘I’d like to say we’re mates but we’re not’
RHYS WILLIAMS competed in the shadows of sport all his life until the last few precious days, when he became the European 400 metres hurdles champion.
Now, out in the sunlight of achievement, his goal is to shine on the grandest stage at the Olympics.
Williams has lived more than happily with one shadow – always being better known as the son of Welsh rugby legend JJ Williams than for his own career in athletics.
He has hated the other shadow – forever being second-best to former training partner and reigning world champion Dai Greene in his event.
It’s clearly a huge motivation for Williams – a rivalry reminiscent of that between Seb Coe and Steve Ovett back in the 1980s. There is respect, but not friendship.
“Dai has had all the accolades and attention for winning the world championships, and he’s earned that,” says Williams, who saw Greene run a personal best of 47.84secs in Friday’s Paris Diamond League meeting, just one fiftieth of a second outside the British record set by Kriss Akabusi at the Barcelona Olympics 20 years ago.
“But never does a day go by when I feel happy to lose to him. I’m not. It makes me sick to my stomach every time he beats me – it’s like a dagger through my heart.
“That’s because I know I can beat him, simple as that. It’s a bit like Formula One team-mates – if one guy is dominant, what must the other be thinking?
“It must be very tough. Either you fight and work a way through the problem or you accept it. And I don’t accept it. No one ever should. No kid should ever accept that the other guy is better than him.”
Until a couple of years ago, Williams and Greene were training partners under veteran coach Malcolm Arnold in Bath. The last straw for Williams was finishing second to his rival in the 2010 European final in Barcelona.
He switched to another world-class coach, Dan Pfaff, and vindication arrived with European gold last weekend in Helsinki.
“I had to do something,” says Williams. “I wasn’t happy being second – and definitely not second to another Welshman. That does make a difference. When you’re losing to someone from up the road it hurts. I knew I had to change to get better.
“I’m hoping my form will continue to improve through the Olympics. I’ve always run my season’s best times in championships. It’s about performing when the pressure is on. That’s where you really separate athletes.
“The rivalry with Dai will help. We push each other on. We may wear the same vest but it’s very competitive.
“I won’t speak to Dai between now and the Olympics. Our relationship is one of competitors against each other.
“I could sit here and say it’s nice that we’re mates, but we’re not. It’s the same with a lot of athletes. You can’t get on with everyone.”
Williams and Greene are medal contenders at London 2012, though there will be strong opposition from several American hurdlers.
Watching with pride in the stands will be JJ Williams, the fleet-footed