Croydon Harriers’ James Dasaolu believes he has every chance of emulating Britain’s recent success over 60m with a medal at the World Indoor Championships this month.
The 28-year-old booked a spot at Portland after picking up his third British Indoor gold last month with a season’s best of 6.53– just beating Andrew Roberston (6.54) and Sean Safo-Antwi (6.57) to the finish line.
Great Britain have had great success over 60m in the past decade with Dwain Chambers, Jason Gardner and, most recently, Richard Kilty picking up gold medals at the World Indoors.
Dasaolu, Britain’s second fastest man over 100m, admits there is a pressure when pulling on the GB vest but it is something he can thrive under.
“It was all about getting that qualification for Portland because I’ve always said running well indoors has helped my outdoors in past years so that was always the goal,” said Dasaolu.
“I don’t know who’s running in Portland yet but I do know as a British athlete we have a good history of winning medals there.
“Most recently we had Richard Kilty winning gold last time and before that we had Dwain Chambers.
“It’s almost expected when you pull on the vest to represent Great Britain that, at the very least, you’ll be in the final and be pushing for a medal.
“I’m European 100m Champion, I’ve got medals at 60m, I’ve gone sub-ten and my PB is 6.47 so it’s almost expected from me because that’s the nature of the sport.”
With the Rio Olympics just around the corner, Dasaolu will soon be turning his attention to the 100m.
The sprinter made the GB team for London 2012, finishing seventh in his semi-final heat, but believes he is in much better shape this time round.
He said: “I’m a totally different athlete to what I was in 2012. Half way through that season I switched coaches to the coach I currently have now [Steve Fudge].
“I was injured for two or three months of the season so I didn’t have a good build up to the Olympics at all.
“I was just more happy to make the team but now I’ve made the World Finals in 2013, I’ve got a sub-ten to my name and I’ve just got better credentials going into this Olympic year as opposed to 2012.
“That was brilliant because it was a home Olympics and I was able to represent my country at a home Olympic games because not many athletes will ever get that chance.
“Everything we’re doing is geared towards the Olympics and you want to make sure you get everything right.
“All athletes step it up in Olympic year because ultimately it is that Olympic dream everyone is chasing.”
The World Indoor’s take place March 17-20 and will be live on the BBC red button and online with the men’s 60m final culminating on the Friday.
Image courtesy of Nuffin’ Long TV – Athletics via YouTube, with thanks
