Walker might also contest 10,000m race

Press, 25 July 1986, Page 20

Walker might also contest 10,000m race

From ROD DEW, in Edinburgh

John Walker is considering the possibility of making a surprise appearance in the 10,000 m on the first day of track and field competition in the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games.

“I am thinking about it,” he said before leaving for a training run on the road yesterday. Walker has raced over this distance often enough on the road, so it would not be an entirely new experience for him. The possibility has arisen because the boycott by Kenya has stripped three of the top five from the Commonwealth ranking list from the contest. A slow time is likely, which would suit somebody like Walker who can sit in behind and then turn on a devastating sprint finish. Walker, however, would not be drawn on the reasons for considering the 10,000 m. “I did not

say that I would be running,” he said, before trotting out of the village, leaving the question of his plans very much up in the air. Earlier, he expressed some criticism of the boycott which has now taken 30 teams out of the Games. “Ever since I started my career we have experienced boycotts — so they are nothing new. The boycott will have no effect. The 1986 Commonwealth Games will be remembered for the people who won medals. Those who stayed away will soon be forgotten.” He suggests that professional athletics might be the answer.

Walker’s clash with England’s Steve Ovett in the 5000 m next week promises to be among the highlights of the Games. He holds top ranking with 13min 19.285. Ovett’s best this season is only slightly slower at 13min 20.55. “Steve is obviously the one we will be looking at, but my form is good, and I am confident,” Walker said. Ovett’s chances of upsetting Walker in the golden chase improved markedly in the last few days when he won an international 1500 m race in Paris in a very fast 3min 34.40 s — his best for three years.