WIGHTMAN RUNS OUT OF STEAM
JAKE WIGHTMAN defended the decision to put his world champion status on the line after falling short in Birmingham.
A fortnight on from becoming 1500m king of the Worlds, the Nottingham-born Scot could manage only third at the Commonwealths.
“I hope I don’t get shot down too much for not having won it being a world champion,” said Wightman, whose time was 1.30sec slower than in Eugene.
Steve Cram questioned the wisdom of such a gamble so close to his career-defining moment.
“It was a risk for me, always, for Jake,” he said.
“He’s brave for doing it, for putting his title and his reputation on the line.
“He could have run the 800, he opted for this and for Jake that was a hard, hard race.”
Wightman had been urged by Seb Coe to chase greatness in the 1500m but admitted “a lot” of others asked why he was chancing it.
“I knew the potential was that I’d be disappointed with my season if I didn’t run as well here,” he said after a race won by Australia’s Oli Hoare in a Games record 3min 30.12sec.
“But it’s an opportunity I didn’t want to turn down.
“I wouldn’t change my decision. I’d have hated running the 800m or not running at all, seeing that race go and thinking I would have loved to have been in it.”
Track legend Christine Ohuruogu had warned Wightman this would be different from the Worlds as “this time you’re the hunted rather than the hunter”.
He was perfectly placed on the shoulder of the leader going down the back straight for the last time.
But unlike in Eugene, where he left his kick until 200m out, he went 50m earlier at a packed Alexander Stadium and paid for it on the run-in.
“I didn’t want to be a pedestrian and be running for minor medals,” said Wightman, who is entered for the 800m at the Europeans later this month.
“I wanted to make a statement, but I didn’t feel anywhere near as good as I did a couple of weeks ago.
“I gave it my all but it was mentally so tough.”