Golding gets back on right track

13 April 2012

Julian Golding hopes his financial problems will now be over after emerging from years in the athletics wilderness to qualify for Britain's World Championship team in Paris.

The 1998 Commonwealth champion collected a £5,000 bonus as one of five athletes to be rewarded for their performance at the Norwich Union Trials in Birmingham after ending a three-year injury and illness nightmare by snatching victory in the 200 metres.

"Now I can pay some bills," said Golding who won in 20.37seconds, his best for four years. "I haven't had lottery funding this year so I have been living off my savings.

"I had even been thinking of getting a part-time job but you can't compete with the top guys if you are also working.

"The last three years have been tortuous. I almost walked away from the sport last year but my family and others persuaded me to carry on. To come back after so many problems shows no challenge is too great.

"My coach John Regis has had a lot of faith in me and that has made me have a lot of faith. He told me not to come here just to qualify but to win. Whatever happens in Paris will be a bonus. But if I can run fast there who knows what will happen."

Golding will be joined in France by Welshman Christian Malcolm, who finished second just 0.02secs adrift, with their selection set to be confirmed when the first raft of athletes are named tomorrow.

But the selectors will leave at least one person disappointed with Darren Campbell and Marlon Devonish both believing they should get the third slot.

Olympic silver medallist Campbell edged out world indoor champion Devonish by 0.01secs to take third while Chris Lambert, who has the quickest time by a Briton this summer, was fifth.

"I don't know what the selectors will think of that," said Campbell. "I hope they will take into consideration that I did three rounds of the 100m in one day."

But Devonish countered: "I've beaten Darren before so I might get the spot. But I really didn't want to be in this position."

Carl Myerscough looks set to win a medal in Paris. Following his recent British record in the shot, he broke the 29-year-old championship record in the AAA, which were incorporated into the Norwich Union trials.

The 'Blackpool Tower' dominated the competition to win with a throw of 21.55 metres to beat the mark of 21.37m set by American Al Feuerbach.

"This shows my preparations for Paris are going well," said 6ft 10in Myerscough. "I am looking forward to the championships."

Chris Rawlinson won a fifth successive AAA title in the 400m hurdles while Abi Oyepitan was rewarded for being one of the few athletes to meet the qualifying standard as she won the 200m in a career-best 22.95secs.

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