Athletics: Snell's golden double on agenda

NICK WILLIS will try to emulate his hero Sir Peter Snell by launching a "legitimate attack" on the 800m-1500m double at Delhi next year.

The Olympic 1500m bronze medallist from Beijing who is back in training after hip surgery, told the Herald on Sunday that he needed a new challenge at Commonwealth Games level after winning the longer of the two races races in Melbourne.

"It will definitely be a legitimate attack on both races," Willis said. "Since winning in Melbourne, it's always been in the back of my mind. To continue the excitement, you've got to add new challenges.

"At the Olympic level, I still have more to aim for in the 1500m but, at the Commonwealth level, I already have the gold so I need something more to keep stoking the fires, to keep the hunger there.

"The 800m is my pet event. It's what I grew up doing. It was my specialty as a teenager and I have never had the opportunity to really test myself in the past few years over that event. I see Delhi as a great opportunity to do that.

"With the Games in October - which is a very awkward time of year for athletes from any continent to peak for - there are great opportunities for those of us that make Delhi a priority in our training."

In Perth in 1962, Snell, running over imperial measurements, won the 880 yards and mile. Herb Elliott (Cardiff '58) and Steve Cram (Edinburgh '86) are the only other males to achieve the blue-riband double.

Since the emergence of the African nations in the 1970s, no New Zealand male, not even John Walker, has won gold at either distance.

Meanwhile, Willis still faces a wait to see if his medal from Beijing will be upgraded to silver. Bahrain gold medallist Rashid Ramzi has tested positive to a banned substance but will protest his innocence to the International Olympic Committee this week.

"It's a very difficult situation to be honest. You're always happy if any wrong has ever been done in any situation you want it to be corrected," Willis said.