Rusheen McDonald working on race plan

MOROCCO'S FIRST Diamond League meeting was something of a struggle for Rusheen McDonald.

The Jamaican 400m runner trailed in seventh (46.79 seconds) in a race won by former Olympic champion, American LaShawn Merritt, who notched a meeting record of 44.66 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

But McDonald, who failed to reach the 400m semi-finals at the Olympic Games in London four years ago, was not too despondent despite his poor showing.

"I'm working on my race plan for the season. I have to get into some races," he said afterwards.

"I'm focused on the Olympics, but the Diamond League does come in handy once in a while.

"Me and my coach are working hard, right now. I'm OK and I'm training well, so there is a lot of work going in right now. I just have to listen to my coach."

IMPROVE RACE PLAN

The 2012 Olympian added: "It's been a good trip. The track felt good, but I needed to get my race plan better. But, that said, I am a little bit tired."

When asked if Morocco's historic meeting could be emulated by his own country, McDonald smiled and said: "It would be good if Jamaica could stage a Diamond League meeting. It would be better."

- R.H.