ATHLETICS / European Indoor Championships: Ian O'Riordan profiles the two men who brought home gold medals from the European Indoor Championships in Spain
Alistair Cragg always said he'd win a gold medal for Ireland and there's every reason to believe this is just the first of many. His fearless domination of the European Indoor 3,000 metre final showed all the hallmarks of a great champion, and when so much natural talent is combined with so much self-belief there are literally no limits.
At 24 he's still a few years off his peak, yet no one in the Palacio de Deportes on Saturday evening could remember seeing a European distance race won with such authority. Cragg had the great Spanish threat Reyes Estevez beaten shortly beyond halfway, and instead of the expected bust up on the last lap his final 200 metres was in fact a glorious lap of honour.
His winning time of seven minutes 46.32 seconds left him five seconds clear of Britain's John Mayock, who sneaked past a demoralised Estevez in the last strides to claim a remarkable fifth medal in these championships. Mark Carroll, another former champion from five years ago, ended up ninth after sharing much of the early front running with his Irish team-mate.
And what an incredible sight, Cragg and Carroll exchanging positions at the front as the rest of the field were gradually strung out in chase. Carroll's race effectively ended around the 2000 metre mark, and the next 400 metres - which Cragg ran alone in 60.2 seconds - was clearly the scissors that cut the string to Estevez.
One of the first things Cragg did afterwards was praise Carroll: "He helped me an awful lot. Half of this medal belongs to him. Not just because of the race but because of all he's done before.
"I didn't feel particularly good, and it's terribly hot and humid in here. But I knew if anyone caught me I could go again. Once I was in that kind of control I knew I had it." So the changing of the Irish distance running guard is complete, and Cragg now turns his attention to the world stage fully aware that what happened in Madrid should only be viewed as the beginning of a new era.
"I know distance running is not as strong as it used to be in Europe. The Africans have taken it on to a new level, so you have to stay realistic. You definitely can't win here and expect to win gold at the Olympics.
"I know I'm on the track, but I know I've got to keep improving. In the big scheme of things no one really cares about European indoors, and how I won here. The World Championships are where it's really at, and if I'm satisfied where I'm at now then I'll never be proven as a great runner." One man who believes Cragg will be a great runner is John McDonnell, the Mayo-born coach who took him under his wing at the University of Arkansas.
"Some people were getting caught up in the whole Estevez thing," added Cragg, "but then John just keeps it so simple. And gives me so much confidence. I remember my first year in college I ran some good times, but I never won anything. Then I had two years when I didn't run as quick, but started winning everything.
"My first year out of college was like a repeat of that, because I was pulled along to some fast times but I wasn't winning the races. I said to John this year that I want to start winning races. And I think I have become a competitor again." Perhaps the most exciting thing about Cragg's performance in Madrid is that he wasn't even planning on being here. A hernia operation last November was supposed to mean a quiet winter, but he rediscovered his form so quickly that he simply couldn't resist.
Beating Kenenisa Bekele in his first race of the season was clearly the deciding factor, even if the Ethiopian world record holder was going through a hard time.
"The main thing about that race wasn't that I beat him. It's that I stood on the start line and knew I could beat him. That's so important to my running right now. But it's a relief too to win my first title for Ireland. Times do give you some credibility but medals can never be taken away from you. It's important to have both." Watching from the stands on Saturday were his parents Raymond and Jill, both with Irish flags draped down their backs. They made sure Cragg was raised in South Africa fully aware of his Irish roots, and at 15 his father told him he could break a world record. Bekele holds the current 5,000 metre record of 12:37.35.
"Well they were a lot slower back then," noted Cragg. "I think 13 flat was the 5,000-metre record when he said that, so I really can't relate to that time just yet, and just don't know if it's gettable." 12:37.35. Chances are that by the end of this year that's a time Cragg will be able to relate to.
Cragg Fact File
Age: 24. Lives: Arkansas, USA
Coach: John McDonnell
Club: Clonliffe Harriers
Personal bests: 1,500m: 3:39.24; 5,000m: 13:12.74; 10,000m: 28:20.29;
Major championship record: Seven-time NCAA champion; 16th World Cross Country 2004, 12th Olympic 5,000 metres 2004.
