Sinclair has eyes firmly set on 800m final in Daegu

Audley Boyd, Assistant Editor - Sports

WASHINGTON DC, United States:

PARADOXICALLY, Jamaica's middle distance queen, Kenia Sinclair, is running the 800 metres and 1500 metres with the hope that the one she hates will create the path to success for the other she really loves.

Sinclair has made a name for herself as one of the top 800-metres runners on the circuit, but while others - even her coaches - have tried convincing her in the past that she would do better over the longer distance, the national record holder for the two-lap event has resisted.

Now, she appears more than willing to buy into the idea, spurred by the conviction that it will give her a lift for the race that brings her greater joy, recognition and success.

passion for the 800m

"The 800m is my passion, but my coaches have always believed that I'm a better 1500-metres runner. So if I put my mind to it ... I think I'll be a better 1500-metre runner, but right now, all my passion is in the 800 metres," Sinclair confessed.

"I think that I might compete in the 1500 metres and make my 800 metres much stronger. That's my goal this year - stay fit, train more, and if I just get a more relaxed pace by running the 1500 metres ... then I know that my 800 metres will be super fast this year," she added.

Sinclair, who first broke Inez Turner's 10-year national record in 2005, made the comments after winning the women's 1500 metres, at the Adidas Grand Prix meet at the Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island in New York last Saturday.

satisfied

The Jamaican powered home in 4:08.06, beating the United States' Morgan Uceny (4:08.42), Ethiopians Kalkidan Gezahegne (4:08.46) and Gelete Burka (4:09.84.

Despite windy, sometimes rainy and cold weather, with temperatures dipping as low as 60 degrees, the athlete, who will celebrate her 31st birthday near mid-July, expected a fast, competitive race and appeared satisfied with her execution.

"I opened up in Australia with 4:06 (4:06.50 in Sydney in March) and when I looked at the line-up here, I knew it was going to be a very good race, with the Ethiopians and the Kenyans and all of those people," Sinclair said.

"I knew I was going to get a fast time, but based on how they went out, I knew it had to be a tactical race, so I decided I was going to run how I feel. So I just went out and stayed behind the 'rabbit' and with 150 metres to go, I realised everyone started to position because it was a bit close, so I just got out and finished as strong as I can," she added.

Sinclair's next stop is the senior Supreme Ventures Limited/JAAA National Championships, where she has set a target to run under two minutes in the 800 metres.

"Going into the Jamaica trials I always go out there to compete to the best of my ability, to motivate some other athletes who want to race the 800 metres but believe it's all about sprinting," she pointed out.

"So when I go to Jamaica ... even if there is no competition, I try to go out there and run a sub two minutes on the track, to let the other runners know it's possible and that's really my goal going to the trials," remarked Sinclair, who has run outdoor personal bests of 1:57.88 (national record) over 800 metres and 4:05.56 for the 1500.

Looking forward to Daegu, Sinclair said as long as she stays 'healthy' she will definitely make the 800-metres final.

"I haven't raced much, this is my third meet, so I know I'm not overworked. I'm not tired, this is just the start of my season," she said. "Once I race less, stay healthy, train more and be mentally strong, then I know I'll be in a good place physically and mentally and that's what I'm working on this year."

The national trials will help select athletes for the World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea, August 25-September 3.

Sinclair has participated at the World Champs outdoors several times, advancing as far as the semi-finals on three occasions. She also has silver medals in the 800 metres at the World Indoors and Commonwealth Games, respectively, back in 2006.