20.08.2009

Behind the scenes: McLellan's Berlin run

Coach Sharon Hannan reports on the lead-up to Sally McLellan's run in the final of the 100m hurdles at the world championships in Berlin overnight.

Berlin - Tuesday August 18, 2009. VERY happy with the draw for the semi-finals. Sally’s happy. I’m happy. Of the eight 'acknowledged' contenders for medals, Sally and Dawn Harper are the only two in semi-final three. Derval O’Rourke, who won the world indoor championship in 2006 is in the same race and could be a dark horse.

It’s a fine and sunny day as we start our preparations for the trip to the stadium. There is great excitement in the Aussie camp because Dani Samuels just threw a sensational disc to put herself in the final on Friday.  Reports back from the training track that Steve Hooker trained well this morning have added to the buzz. 

I watched all the men’s 110m hurdles heats on telly this morning and there were certainly a few surprises and a few very disappointed athletes. By far the biggest upset was that 2008 Olympic gold medallist Dayron Robles (CUB) was well beaten into fifth in his heat. Colin Jackson and Allen Johnson were commentating for the BBC and they reflected on past performances as well as current.  Both showed a very high regard for Nehemiah and Colin thought that if he hadn’t retired so young he would have run a 12.8 and that was way back in 1981.

The freely provided in-room internet access is still a non-event still so today I went down to reception and paid €15.95 (about $30) for 24 hours of internet access and still couldn’t get on! The reception staff were very helpful though and let me use one of their computers seeing as I’d paid. Will go back this evening after I return from the final and send this report through.

There is an internet room in the hotel with 10 laptops provided but the line-up is ridiculous. I’ve been persevering very early in the morning or very late at night so that I can get messages to my family and get these reports to Athletics Australia as well. Skype is simply out of the question, so little or no voice contact from here now. This is in stark contrast to Cologne, where everyone was able to get free internet access in their rooms and almost all were 'Skyping' home every day.

Well, it’s just after 3:00pm so I’m off to get showered and ready for the track. To those of you who are track and field tragics or simply fans of Sally and are setting your alarms for ridiculous o’clock, I hope you enjoy the spectacle.

Berlin - Wednesday August 19, 2009. It’s now almost 1:00am and I guess you all know the result. We’re both disappointed but it was a great achievement after what’s happened the past two weeks.

You haven’t seen the best of Sally McLellan by a long shot. Stay tuned...

Cheers from me again.

Sharon

Read previous instalments of Sharon's exclusive online diary here.