ATHLETICS: Ian O'Riordan talks to South African-born Alistair Cragg who makes his international debut for Ireland in Croatia tomorrow.

For many years one of the truest tests of athletic talent has been the American NCAA collegiate cross-country championships, traditionally one the hardest titles to win in distance running and an honest measure of potential for further success on the world stage.

In 1972 Neil Cusack produced the first Irish victory, when representing East Tennessee University, and a few years later he was Boston Marathon champion. John Treacy came closing to winning the race while at Providence College, but Kenya's Henry Rono just about got the better of him in 1977. Within a year Treacy would be World cross-country champion.

Two weeks ago Alistair Cragg came within a stride of winning the title. Though born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, his running career is committed to Ireland, and tomorrow he will make his international debut at the European cross country championships in Medulin, Croatia.

"It's going to be a real honour to wear the green vest," he says. "I know my family have strong links with Ireland and I've had an Irish passport since I was 10 years old. And my parents are very happy with my decision to compete for Ireland, which is something they've always wanted me to do since I first started running in South Africa."

At 22 Cragg has covered much ground, not just in running terms. A series of impressive times as a junior in South Africa - including a 3:47 clocking for 1,500 metres - earned him a US scholarship to Southern Methodist University. Though he ran well in his first year, the culture shock was a little too much and he returned to South Africa. At that point he suffered a series of setbacks. His younger brother died in tragic circumstances, and he was then out of running for seven months with a knee injury. It seemed like his outstanding athletic potential would go to waste.

But while in the US he had been spotted by John McDonnell, the Mayo-born coach at Arkansas State University who had previously nurtured several Irish athletes such as Frank O'Mara and Niall Bruton. McDonnell offered Cragg a fresh start at Arkansas, convinced the young athlete was destined for success.

Two weeks ago at the NCAA championships Cragg repaid that favour. Several Kenyans were burnt off by his early pace, and though he eventually lost out by a stride to Jorge Torres (who finished 11th for the US at the World cross-country championships in Dublin last March) the runner-up position was clearly satisfying to Cragg and McDonnell.

"I know I had the ability to win that race," says Cragg. "But I'm learning all the time."

He also has one more year at Arkansas, and is likely to start next year's race as favourite.

The Irish connection comes from his grandparents on his mother's side, and earlier in the year he was cleared by South Africa to compete for Ireland. His parents have also left Johannesburg and now live in London, and yesterday he was briefly reunited with them for the first time in 18 months while meeting up with the Irish team.

"To be honest I'm extremely nervous about this first race," he says. "It's a whole new experience for me. I would like to try to get into the top three this weekend, and get a medal for Ireland, but the most important thing is to run well for the team, and help their own ambitions of getting into the team medals.

"And I would dearly love to qualify for next summer's world championships in Paris, and go on to the Athens Olympics in 2002, and maybe make the final of the 5,000 metres. I know that would be super thrill for myself and my family."

Cragg's presence in Croatia is certain to add to the chances of an Irish team medal. Cathal Lombard of Cork has been a late defection through injury, but Seamus Power has already proven he's running as well as ever and bronze medals - similar to that achieved in Sweden two years ago - are well with their reach.

The women's hopes will be fronted once again by Anne Keenan-Buckley, who was part of the team bronze at the world championships in Dublin last March. The absence of Sonia O'Sullivan may prohibit medals on this occasion.