Birchfield Harrier Danny Talbot is adamant he can earn Olympic selection in the 200m at the Aviva 2012 Trials this weekend – and he isn’t worried about upsetting boyhood idol Christian Malcolm in doing so.
The 21-year-old made his first outdoor appearance over 200m in Slovenia on Thursday clocking 20.71seconds, 0.16 shy of the Olympic A standard and a further 0.01 shy of his personal best.
Four Brits so far, including Malcolm, have ducked under the Olympic A standard with Talbot needing to do so to stand any chance of securing one of three 200m places for London 2012.
The first spots will be decided this weekend at the Aviva 2012 Trials and, should Talbot hit the A standard, a top-two finish would book him a run at the Olympic Stadium.
Talbot admits the task is a daunting one but insists he is relishing the challenge of getting one over the likes of Malcolm, who helped him during his breakthrough season last year.
“Making the team will be difficult, but I definitely feel as though I have got a chance,” said Talbot. “I’m not too far off the standard and the times of guys who have been racing for quite a few weeks already.
“So I’m confident I’ll be able to qualify. It’s a pretty surreal situation, to be honest. I have always looked up to the more senior guys, and Christian in particular.
“Last year I was just breaking into the senior ranks, and the support he gave me was great. He helped me a lot at the European Team Championships in Stockholm last summer, and I really appreciated that. Now I’m in a situation where I’m racing against guys like him, and it’s great.
“I hope we can both make the team, but there are a few good guys all competing for the three spots.”
Despite his current confidence the past month has been frustrating for Talbot, who has needed injections to treat injuries in his hip and lower back.
But he insisted: I’m feeling good. I ran my second fastest time ever in the 100m and 200m. I’m feeling in good shape and I’m ready.”
