Athletics: Donaldson sniffs a sub-10s 100m

By Murray McKinnon

MONTE GORDO - Although aged only 24, New Zealand sprinter Chris Donaldson could be considered the veteran of the New Zealand team at the world athletics championships starting in Seville, Spain on Friday.

Donaldson has lined up at the last three world championships, racing in the relay at Stuttgart in 1993 and the sprint double at Gothenberg in 1995 and in Athens two years later.

"I was in the seventh form at school when I attended my first world championships," said the personable Donaldson at Monte Gordo in Portugal this week.

Donaldson showed exceptional early competition form in the 100m and 200m at the Belgian championships last month.

He was close to his best over 100m in 10.18s and came away with a 20.56s 200m to his credit.

Two weeks later he strained a calf muscle while warming up for a race in Barcelona and, as a precaution, decided not to compete.

"I am now back to 100 per cent fitness and have had some good training sessions, including a very quick hand-timed 100m," Donaldson said.

The twice New Zealand 100m and 200m champion said his goal was to make the final of both events in Seville.

"My aim is to run as fast as possible and do the best I can and I know anything is possible. Personal bests are the goals," he said.

Donaldson has not given much thought lately to his other aim, of becoming the first New Zealander to break 10s for 100m.

"If it happens it happens. Knowing that I will be giving it everything, 9.99s could happen," he said.

As he did in Kuala Lumpur, where he finished seventh in both sprint finals, Donaldson has his coach, Brent Ward, with him.

"It was proven in KL that having Brent there was a huge advantage," he said.

The programming of both events at Seville is good.

The 100m is first, this Saturday, with the first and second rounds followed by the semifinal and final the next day. The 200m is scheduled for Tuesday, with the semifinal the next day and a day's gap to the final.

"I couldn't ask for a better layout," he said However, the draws for each race come down to the luck of the game.

Donaldson said: "I shut out who is either side of me. My lane becomes the focal point of concentration."