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Scott happy if record but wants gold
Paralympic 800m silver medalist Brad Scott has had a blistering start to his quest for gold in London next year, after clocking a 1500m qualifier and potential world-record in Canberra on Friday.
Irishman Michael McKillop at the IPC World Championships in Christchurch set the current world-record, of 4:14.81, in January.
Scott’s 4:10.96 smashed that time at the AACT Summer Series on Friday evening, and while he awaits verification from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority that the meet is authorised and therefore allows it to stand as a new world record, the 23-year-old says his focus remains on London.
And unsurprisingly Scott's time also made light work of the T37 1500m qualifying standard of 4:26.00
He said: “Basically the main goal was to get a Paralympic qualifier for London, that was the focus behind the race.
"I’ve just come out of a big training block and I knew I was in shape to run well but I didn’t think I would go that well.
“I went into the race with my own targets, got into my own rhythm and then it sorted itself out from there. The time was a bit surprising but also I knew I had the potential to run it.
“At about the one minute 50 (second) mark I felt like I could pick it up a gear so I pushed the pace to 800m and then three of them went past me. I managed to pick two off at the end when I found another gear.”
“It would be great to have the world record as I guess you get notification of being the best there has been but I’m not in it (athletics) for world records, I’m in it for Paralympic medals.
"Heath Francis (triple-Paralympic champion) said to me that ‘world records are temporary, Paralympic glory is forever’ and I agree with that. The world record would be great and all, but to be able to stand on that podium next year would be an unbelievable feeling.”
Scott will now return to training, where he has every faith in his coach Iryna Dvoskina to take him to required level for London.
“The main focus of training has been to push myself to that point, where I feel I’ve given my all. I’ve been looking for those extra gears but I wasn’t sure that I had them, but Iryna kept telling me I had the talent and that gave me the confidence to believe in myself.
“I’m glad she stuck with it and kept pushing me as now I have found another gear for racing.
“Friday night’s race is definitely a good confidence builder, especially knowing I’m just going through training now. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do once I’ve finished training and begin to taper off for competition.
“Iryna has been unbelievable with me so far, she hasn’t put a foot wrong and I’m looking forward to seeing what she has waiting for me for the rest of training. But I also wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of the AIS, APC, Athletics Australia and the ASC.”
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