Craig Pickering
- Thread starter white lightning
- Start date
More info, including video of Craig's 60m race can be found here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/default.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_6300000/newsid_63059 00/6305923.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm#
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/default.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_6300000/newsid_63059 00/6305923.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm#
albinosprint
Mentor
THIS KID IS UNBELIEVABLE! HE IS JUST DESTROYING THE BROTHERS ON THE TRACK! I would bet my left ball this kid breaks 10 in the next few years. he's got me so pumped I'm thinking about getting back into sprinting.
Here is an interesting observation. Throughout the 1990's and early 2000's, you had guys like Greene, Cason, Gatlin, etc. with world leading times of 6.40 - 6.50 sec in the 60M. The governing bodies crack down on PEDs, the times go up, and all of the sudden whites are again competitive in the 60m again.
Seems to support our belief all along that the perceived black domination of the sprints during the late 1980's through early 2000's were chemically enhanced. Only time and continued enforcement of the drug policies will prove this out.
Seems to support our belief all along that the perceived black domination of the sprints during the late 1980's through early 2000's were chemically enhanced. Only time and continued enforcement of the drug policies will prove this out.
white is right
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I agree, also it's more specifically American trained black athletes. Obviously I'm not niave enough to think that white sprinters aren't on anabolics/growth hormone too. But these drug cocktails work better for black sprinters. All you have to do is look at Ben Johnson who became a beast on them yet was a mediocre prospect as a junior(for the world level). The worst feeling in my life is seeing a 1-2-3 USA sweep in the 100 meter race or the 200 meter race as the Americans always look the largest of all the sprinters. Yet in the old days they had the same builds as everyone else.....SteveB said:
Colonel Callan
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Here's video of Pickering handling a field of our media's favorites:
http://media.putfile.com/SOEI-2007-SM-60m-Final
There are different responses to drugs depending on race. HGH plus
steroids has more of an effect on muscle building in blacks. Many more
black bodybuilders/weightlifters rely on HGH + roids than do whites, as
the results are more dramatic for blacks. Yes, it's anecdotal, but I do
know what I saw work in track in field.
It is much harder for whites to get away with drug use. To be blunt, there
has been selective enforcement of drug testing for decades. American
blacks were allowed to get away with murder when it came to drug use -
again, look at what they now admit Carl Lewis got away with. Incredible.
This was part and parcel of the social agenda. Whites were pushed out of
many sports deliberately, and if the media, 'owners' etc couldn't complete
the job of mentally ruining whites, then drug use was allowed by blacks
to help them complete 'the mission'.
American sprinters have had some problems the last two years because
of the arrogance and infighting of a certain group of black 'coaches' and
the Balco debacle. However, the authorities in the US have no real
intention of curbing the malfeasance of these "role models". It isn't only
in the US, it's everywhere. Not all Africans are on drugs, but a large
percentage are, and they are let off the hook like American sprinters. It's
all politics. Look at the recent bust of a Kenyan runner - she was caught
using Clomid, a known masking agent for steroids. Of course, her
coaches now try to say she wanted to have a baby. Not in the middle of
prepping for competition she didn't. She would have taken time off like
Paula Radcliffe. All the PC morons chime in and agree with the lame alibi.
It's sickening.
Talented whites are ignored when it comes to development. Football and
basketball fans know this. Baseball fans are now getting a taste of it, with
formerly scrawny Latin Americans now showing up water bloated from
'roids, and enjoying preferential treatment over whites - since American
blacks have no interest in a game that doesn't give them bling right away.
Back to Pickering - it he's given a fair chance to develop - AND - can
somehow get on a level playing field he will do very well. He will break 10
seconds.
http://media.putfile.com/SOEI-2007-SM-60m-Final
There are different responses to drugs depending on race. HGH plus
steroids has more of an effect on muscle building in blacks. Many more
black bodybuilders/weightlifters rely on HGH + roids than do whites, as
the results are more dramatic for blacks. Yes, it's anecdotal, but I do
know what I saw work in track in field.
It is much harder for whites to get away with drug use. To be blunt, there
has been selective enforcement of drug testing for decades. American
blacks were allowed to get away with murder when it came to drug use -
again, look at what they now admit Carl Lewis got away with. Incredible.
This was part and parcel of the social agenda. Whites were pushed out of
many sports deliberately, and if the media, 'owners' etc couldn't complete
the job of mentally ruining whites, then drug use was allowed by blacks
to help them complete 'the mission'.
American sprinters have had some problems the last two years because
of the arrogance and infighting of a certain group of black 'coaches' and
the Balco debacle. However, the authorities in the US have no real
intention of curbing the malfeasance of these "role models". It isn't only
in the US, it's everywhere. Not all Africans are on drugs, but a large
percentage are, and they are let off the hook like American sprinters. It's
all politics. Look at the recent bust of a Kenyan runner - she was caught
using Clomid, a known masking agent for steroids. Of course, her
coaches now try to say she wanted to have a baby. Not in the middle of
prepping for competition she didn't. She would have taken time off like
Paula Radcliffe. All the PC morons chime in and agree with the lame alibi.
It's sickening.
Talented whites are ignored when it comes to development. Football and
basketball fans know this. Baseball fans are now getting a taste of it, with
formerly scrawny Latin Americans now showing up water bloated from
'roids, and enjoying preferential treatment over whites - since American
blacks have no interest in a game that doesn't give them bling right away.
Back to Pickering - it he's given a fair chance to develop - AND - can
somehow get on a level playing field he will do very well. He will break 10
seconds.
devans
Mentor
Listen to the interview at the end of the clip posted by Kali. Fastest in the world so far this year and he's asked if his Goal is to make the Great Britain team for the European Indoor championships . He just blew away two of "the team" by about 5 meters, He's got be be thinking about what color medal he will get at , but was clever enough not to say so.
Who is Ernest Wiggins by the way? Is he any good? He got a good view of Craigs back through much of the race.
Who is Ernest Wiggins by the way? Is he any good? He got a good view of Craigs back through much of the race.
Craig Pickering threw down the gauntlet to his more senior British international rivals as the race for European Indoor Championships places hots up.
Pickering, who is determined to win one of the three sprint slots in the Norwich Union GB side, stormed to victory over 60 metres at the Norwich Union International in Glasgow.
The 20-year-old European junior 100m champion finally came out of his shell at the higher level, easily beating Olympic 4x100m relay gold medallists Jason Gardener and Mark Lewis-Francis.
Pickering, who spent last summer marking time performance-wise after moving to Bath University to study, blitzed his fellow Brits to win with a world leading mark this year of 6.55seconds - a time matched in Boston on Saturday night by American sprinter Shawn Crawford.
It was the sport science student's fourth personal best in the same number of races since the New Year began, suggesting he can raise the standard of the currently jaundiced British sprinting scene.
Pickering, like other promising British sprinters including world junior champion Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, hopes to star at the 2012 London Olympics.
"My aim is to win a gold medal but there are five years before London and there is a lot of work to do before I am the finished article," said the Milton Keynes runner, who chose studying at Bath which enables him to train with Gardener.
Picking the west country university rather than Loughborough was a deliberate choice, enabling him to join the coaching stable of Malcolm Arnold, the mentor of Colin Jackson.
"The 60m is my weakest discipline, so I am really excited about the 100," said Pickering, whose major aim of the summer will be challenging for the European Under 23 title.
Pickering will continue his apprenticeship next weekend when undertaking a fearsome debut on the European senior circuit at the Sparkassen Cup in Stuttgart.
And Gardener, who clocked 6.70 for second place, and Lewis-Francis, a disappointing fourth in 6.76, will be thirsting for revenge at the German meeting.
Pickering will also be up against Portugal's Francis Obikwelu, last summer's European 100m and 200m gold medallist, plus the reigning European 60m record holder, Frenchman Ronald Pognon.
Obikwelu, Olympic 100m silver medallist, and Pognon, who relieved Gardener of the Euro 60m record with a time of 6.45 two years ago, represent formidable opposition for Pickering.
Both sprint aces intend challenging for the European indoor title which Gardener has won on the last three occasions when Birmingham hosts the championships from March 2-4.
Pickering, reflecting on his Kelvin Hall triumph, said: "Usually against the big boys I struggle with nerves. I was worried I would be like that today."
But he stayed calm to inflict Gardener's first defeat in seven appearances at the venue.
However the reigning European champion and specialist 60m performer is determined he can bounce back before chasing a fourth gold medal.
The 'Bath Bullet', only just recovered from 'flu, said: "He's (Pickering) been doing very well in training and has had a few more races, so he's a bit further down the line.
"I am looking forward to getting a few more under my belt. I'm a wee bit rusty and I look forward to my next competition," added Gardener, who will compete in Vienna on Tuesday night.
Pickering, who is determined to win one of the three sprint slots in the Norwich Union GB side, stormed to victory over 60 metres at the Norwich Union International in Glasgow.
The 20-year-old European junior 100m champion finally came out of his shell at the higher level, easily beating Olympic 4x100m relay gold medallists Jason Gardener and Mark Lewis-Francis.
Pickering, who spent last summer marking time performance-wise after moving to Bath University to study, blitzed his fellow Brits to win with a world leading mark this year of 6.55seconds - a time matched in Boston on Saturday night by American sprinter Shawn Crawford.
It was the sport science student's fourth personal best in the same number of races since the New Year began, suggesting he can raise the standard of the currently jaundiced British sprinting scene.
Pickering, like other promising British sprinters including world junior champion Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, hopes to star at the 2012 London Olympics.
"My aim is to win a gold medal but there are five years before London and there is a lot of work to do before I am the finished article," said the Milton Keynes runner, who chose studying at Bath which enables him to train with Gardener.
Picking the west country university rather than Loughborough was a deliberate choice, enabling him to join the coaching stable of Malcolm Arnold, the mentor of Colin Jackson.
"The 60m is my weakest discipline, so I am really excited about the 100," said Pickering, whose major aim of the summer will be challenging for the European Under 23 title.
Pickering will continue his apprenticeship next weekend when undertaking a fearsome debut on the European senior circuit at the Sparkassen Cup in Stuttgart.
And Gardener, who clocked 6.70 for second place, and Lewis-Francis, a disappointing fourth in 6.76, will be thirsting for revenge at the German meeting.
Pickering will also be up against Portugal's Francis Obikwelu, last summer's European 100m and 200m gold medallist, plus the reigning European 60m record holder, Frenchman Ronald Pognon.
Obikwelu, Olympic 100m silver medallist, and Pognon, who relieved Gardener of the Euro 60m record with a time of 6.45 two years ago, represent formidable opposition for Pickering.
Both sprint aces intend challenging for the European indoor title which Gardener has won on the last three occasions when Birmingham hosts the championships from March 2-4.
Pickering, reflecting on his Kelvin Hall triumph, said: "Usually against the big boys I struggle with nerves. I was worried I would be like that today."
But he stayed calm to inflict Gardener's first defeat in seven appearances at the venue.
However the reigning European champion and specialist 60m performer is determined he can bounce back before chasing a fourth gold medal.
The 'Bath Bullet', only just recovered from 'flu, said: "He's (Pickering) been doing very well in training and has had a few more races, so he's a bit further down the line.
"I am looking forward to getting a few more under my belt. I'm a wee bit rusty and I look forward to my next competition," added Gardener, who will compete in Vienna on Tuesday night.
white lightning
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Craig is the main man! I'm very excited about his progress thus far.They are talking about him on most track sites.The sky is the limit for this kid.I like how focused he is.He has been in the gym and his power is showing in his fast starts.Remember guys,he is a better finisher than most.Carl Lewis was like that back in the day.He just seemed to run down everyone.He had a little help though if you know what I mean
Craig just needs to keep on training hard and the results will continue to come.I wish he could run a race in Australia right now over 100 meters.I really would like to see what kind of times he would run.Oh well.I can't wait till the summer.Edited by: white lightning
Maple Leaf
Mentor
Pickering and Yepishin and other champs like them are exciting to watch. There is even a certain comical aspect of their success which can best be observed in person, on the scene, where the events take place or in a venue where they are broadcasted. The humour is found in the faces and body language and comments made by black people when a white sprinter beats his black competition. Certain individuals sometimes get frustrated and angry and in some cases infuriated enough that they try to provoke violence. Black people take sprinting far more seriously than do whites, as evidenced in participation rates alone, and some individuals feel personally insulted when a white sprinter beats black sprinters. Some, and this is especially comical, cry racism.
white lightning
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You bring up an interesting point.In their minds and in most peoples minds,it is not possible.Usually you will hear things like he must be part black.They just can't comprehend the possility that a white sprinter could actually be that fast.Even most whites or any other race for that matter have a tough time imagining it.I have said for years that whites can compete.We need several to go sub 10 in the next 5 to 10 years.Only when this happens,along with guys like Wariner can we make a little progress in changing peoples perceptions.I have said for a while now that I have a bottle of really good champagne just waiting to be poured in honor of the first white sprinter to go sub 10! I also hope Wariner trys to go sub 20 in the 200 this year.He can do it if he gets a few more races under his belt at that distance.
white is right
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With luck a sub 10 would have happened in the last few years. Macro would have had one with any wind or humidity and Shirvington could have done the same under the right circumstances. What would mean more to me is a series of flat 10's and a solid breakthrough like what Patrick Johnson did a few years ago before he disappeared into relative mediocrity again.white lightning said:
To be honest, I'll take wins over sub-10s. If it is true that the majority of the sub-10s are chemically enhanced as I believe, then the increased crack down on PEDs could even the playing field. When a white sprinter wins a 100m Olympic medal, then I'll drink to it.
white lightning
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A white woman sprinter already did in 2004. Now it is time for a white male sprinter to break through.I don't know if it will happen next year in China,but I would say that we have a very good chance to break through into the medals by 20l2.With guys like Craig Pickering and Dariusz Kuc,the future looks very bright.I would also say that Jared Connaughton is another young guy to keep a serious eye on!
white lightning
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Craig finished in 3rd in the finals.He didn't get the best start but still finished in a very fast 6.57! Pickering is finding out what it is like to race against the big boys.He will only get better.I'm amazed at how he is handling the pressure so far at only 20 years of age.He doesn't seem to get as nervous as he was last season.Craig will be in the mix.He races next weekend at the England Indoor Championships.It would be great if he could win the 60 meters.So far he has beat Mark Lewis Francis and Jason Gardner everytime they have races this season.Keep it up Craig.
white lightning
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Tommorow is the 60 meters quarters and finals for the English Indoor National Championships.I can't wait to see how Craig does.I really want to see him dethrone Jason Gardner.They are training partners and Gardner has been the most dominant indoor sprinter in the world over the last six years or so.Pickering hasn't lost to him all season but tommorow will be a dog fight.Good luck to Craig!
Craig won the UK indoor championships today in 6.58.
Interestingly, Laura Turner, the only white in the women's 60m also won.
Additionally, whites also won the men's and women's 60m hurdles and the men's and women's 400m.
Hard to believe a small nation like the UK can turn out faster whites than the US in so many events, but I guess all of us on this site know that it's due to the caste system turning us away from these type of speed events.
Interestingly, Laura Turner, the only white in the women's 60m also won.
Additionally, whites also won the men's and women's 60m hurdles and the men's and women's 400m.
Hard to believe a small nation like the UK can turn out faster whites than the US in so many events, but I guess all of us on this site know that it's due to the caste system turning us away from these type of speed events.
white lightning
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I take my hat off to the kid.Craig is running as good as just about any sprinter in the world right now.He has handled the pressure outstandingly.Pickering is the talk of the town.The really good thing is that he runs 6.5's in the sixty meters like clock work.That is no easy task.It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.Let's hope that he can go on to medal at the European Indoor Championships in a few weeks time!
All of the races will very enjoyable.There is a revival of white sprinters in the UK.Even Greg Rutherford is their best long jumper and he may go on to become an olympic champion some day.These are very excting times over in England.Maybe the rest of the world will take note and give a few more young kids a chance.I have always believed that the biggest thing holding white sprinters back over the last several decades has been a lack of participation.We just don't have enough white sprinters world wide to make much of a difference.Hopefully this is slowly changing.
All of the races will very enjoyable.There is a revival of white sprinters in the UK.Even Greg Rutherford is their best long jumper and he may go on to become an olympic champion some day.These are very excting times over in England.Maybe the rest of the world will take note and give a few more young kids a chance.I have always believed that the biggest thing holding white sprinters back over the last several decades has been a lack of participation.We just don't have enough white sprinters world wide to make much of a difference.Hopefully this is slowly changing.
white lightning
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Great article about Craig winning the UK Champs today.
http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=37557.html
http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=37557.html
devans
Mentor
watch the race here
[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_6350000/newsid_63522 00/6352203.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm[/url]
and check out the womans 400M while you're there.Edited by: devans
[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_6350000/newsid_63522 00/6352203.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm[/url]
and check out the womans 400M while you're there.Edited by: devans
Nicole Sanders I think ran the fastest 400M so far this year. And a great 60 M sweep for Pickering and Turner.
Pickering has to well--- run with it. Instead of getting all curled up and nervous and dealing with a media who think white people can't run fast--he needs to say this--I am the best and will destroy the field.. And like I said it won't be too long before the 10 sec. mark is shattered.
Pickering has to well--- run with it. Instead of getting all curled up and nervous and dealing with a media who think white people can't run fast--he needs to say this--I am the best and will destroy the field.. And like I said it won't be too long before the 10 sec. mark is shattered.
BrianLeonard23
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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/athletics/ article1364799.ece
"We could get into the whole social and economic discussion about black athletes levitating towards the 100m because they see success from their peers, but there is no reason why a white man cannot win if I do the work."
"We could get into the whole social and economic discussion about black athletes levitating towards the 100m because they see success from their peers, but there is no reason why a white man cannot win if I do the work."
Craig is gearing up for a major breakthrough this year. You can tell, cause the brothers are talking about him.
Step outside for a proper fight, says Obikwelu
By Simon Hart, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 11:33pm GMT 10/02/2007
Francis Obikwelu, the European 100 and 200 metres champion, is looking forward to taking on Britain's rising sprint star, Craig Pickering, in Birmingham next weekend but has warned that there is a huge difference between running quick times over 60 metres and winning medals outdoors - a 40-metre difference.
The Nigerian-born Portuguese sprinter, who was second behind Justin Gatlin in the Olympic 100m final in Athens in 2004, has been tracking Pickering's performances and has been impressed by what he has seen of the Bath student on television, though he will reserve judgment until the summer.
"He's obviously very good indoors but I don't know about outdoors," said Obikwelu. "To be honest with you, it's not about running good times indoors. You can run 6.4 or 6.5 for the first 60 metres outdoors but you can still end up running 10.5 for the 100 metres. The big question is, do you have enough strength left for the last 40 metres? I think I am the quickest over the last 40, which is a very important part of the race."
advertisementPickering, 20, is the fastest man in Europe this winter after clocking 6.55sec on his way to victory over his training partner, Jason Gardener, in Glasgow earlier this month. The pair will be pitted against each other again today at the European Indoor Championship trials in Sheffield.
Obikwelu, 28, who runs only occasionally indoors, has opted out of the European Championships, which means next Saturday's 60m clash at the Norwich Union Grand Prix in Birmingham will be Pickering's only opportunity to test his progress this winter against one of the world's leading sprinters.
"I try to avoid running indoors," said Obikwelu. "My problem is that I have a bit of difficulty with stopping so quickly after the finish. Because I am very tall, stopping quickly is a shock to my knees. My coach likes me to run one or two meets to get me ready for the outdoor season but running in a championship with heats is too much for me. I did it once but it wasn't good for my knees."
Obikwelu's main focus for the season is the World Championships in Osaka in August, where anything short of a 100m medal will be a disappointment. He even believes that, on his day, he can be a match for Jamaican world record-holder Asafa Powell.
"Anybody can beat anybody and I think on a good day I can surprise a few people. Basically, I'm not always at my best in the individual meets but I am very competitive in a championship. I know how to run the rounds."
His championship know-how was demonstrated in Gothenburg last summer when he won gold medals in the 100m and 200m to add to the 2002 European 100m gold that eventually came into his possession when Dwain Chambers was retrospectively disqualified for failing a drug test.
Gatlin's drug-test failure last year suggests Obikwelu may also have been cheated out of the Olympic gold medal in Athens, though it is not something he loses sleep about.
"To be honest with you, for me it doesn't matter," he said. "For me I just got what I got. To be second in the Olympics is something I am happy with. He got the gold and that is that. It's the same thing with getting the gold from Dwain. I can't really accept that gold medal because I didn't cross the line first and I was given the silver medal. I just made up my mind to work and train hard to get the gold medal at the next European Championships, and that's what I did."
Obikwelu set a European record of 9.86sec in winning the Olympic silver medal, a hundredth of a second quicker than Linford Christie's 1993 mark. By comparison, his personal best indoors is a relatively modest 6.56sec and he accepts that beating Pickering is going to be difficult.
"He's the one that Britain are going to be looking for at the European Championships and he could surprise a few people. I know the Russians are good, but anything can happen. He's good and I'm looking forward to racing him.
"I think it's going to be tough for me but I'm just going there to do my thing. I'm not going there to prove anything to anybody. I'll see if I can run a better time and of course I'll try to win, but whatever happens I'll take it. What I'm really concentrating on is the outdoors. The indoors is just for fun."
Francis Obikwelu will compete in the Norwich Union Grand Prix at the NIA in Birmingham on Saturday, Feb 17. Tickets are available on 0870 4028000 or visit www.ukathletics.net
Step outside for a proper fight, says Obikwelu
By Simon Hart, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 11:33pm GMT 10/02/2007
Francis Obikwelu, the European 100 and 200 metres champion, is looking forward to taking on Britain's rising sprint star, Craig Pickering, in Birmingham next weekend but has warned that there is a huge difference between running quick times over 60 metres and winning medals outdoors - a 40-metre difference.
The Nigerian-born Portuguese sprinter, who was second behind Justin Gatlin in the Olympic 100m final in Athens in 2004, has been tracking Pickering's performances and has been impressed by what he has seen of the Bath student on television, though he will reserve judgment until the summer.
"He's obviously very good indoors but I don't know about outdoors," said Obikwelu. "To be honest with you, it's not about running good times indoors. You can run 6.4 or 6.5 for the first 60 metres outdoors but you can still end up running 10.5 for the 100 metres. The big question is, do you have enough strength left for the last 40 metres? I think I am the quickest over the last 40, which is a very important part of the race."
advertisementPickering, 20, is the fastest man in Europe this winter after clocking 6.55sec on his way to victory over his training partner, Jason Gardener, in Glasgow earlier this month. The pair will be pitted against each other again today at the European Indoor Championship trials in Sheffield.
Obikwelu, 28, who runs only occasionally indoors, has opted out of the European Championships, which means next Saturday's 60m clash at the Norwich Union Grand Prix in Birmingham will be Pickering's only opportunity to test his progress this winter against one of the world's leading sprinters.
"I try to avoid running indoors," said Obikwelu. "My problem is that I have a bit of difficulty with stopping so quickly after the finish. Because I am very tall, stopping quickly is a shock to my knees. My coach likes me to run one or two meets to get me ready for the outdoor season but running in a championship with heats is too much for me. I did it once but it wasn't good for my knees."
Obikwelu's main focus for the season is the World Championships in Osaka in August, where anything short of a 100m medal will be a disappointment. He even believes that, on his day, he can be a match for Jamaican world record-holder Asafa Powell.
"Anybody can beat anybody and I think on a good day I can surprise a few people. Basically, I'm not always at my best in the individual meets but I am very competitive in a championship. I know how to run the rounds."
His championship know-how was demonstrated in Gothenburg last summer when he won gold medals in the 100m and 200m to add to the 2002 European 100m gold that eventually came into his possession when Dwain Chambers was retrospectively disqualified for failing a drug test.
Gatlin's drug-test failure last year suggests Obikwelu may also have been cheated out of the Olympic gold medal in Athens, though it is not something he loses sleep about.
"To be honest with you, for me it doesn't matter," he said. "For me I just got what I got. To be second in the Olympics is something I am happy with. He got the gold and that is that. It's the same thing with getting the gold from Dwain. I can't really accept that gold medal because I didn't cross the line first and I was given the silver medal. I just made up my mind to work and train hard to get the gold medal at the next European Championships, and that's what I did."
Obikwelu set a European record of 9.86sec in winning the Olympic silver medal, a hundredth of a second quicker than Linford Christie's 1993 mark. By comparison, his personal best indoors is a relatively modest 6.56sec and he accepts that beating Pickering is going to be difficult.
"He's the one that Britain are going to be looking for at the European Championships and he could surprise a few people. I know the Russians are good, but anything can happen. He's good and I'm looking forward to racing him.
"I think it's going to be tough for me but I'm just going there to do my thing. I'm not going there to prove anything to anybody. I'll see if I can run a better time and of course I'll try to win, but whatever happens I'll take it. What I'm really concentrating on is the outdoors. The indoors is just for fun."
Francis Obikwelu will compete in the Norwich Union Grand Prix at the NIA in Birmingham on Saturday, Feb 17. Tickets are available on 0870 4028000 or visit www.ukathletics.net
Colonel Callan
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Good run by Pickering, I'm not surprised he won. A couple of weeks ago I wrote that he has a chance to 10 - if the field can stay level. He will not enjoy some of the political protection his darker competitors enjoy. Some of it because of politics, some of it because so many people are suspicious of any fast white guy. Look at some of what Wariner and Rock put up with in the 400. With Wariner winning the Olympics, and then he and Rock finishing 1-2 at the World Champs, the negative talk has subsided a bit. No real positive talk, but the negative pressed isn't really there in force. At the moment.
The fact that Obikwelu is saying the things he has shows he is concerned. Wariner's success has bothered many, many black sprinters and many of the gatekeepers also. There are some in track who are praying for Merrit to improve and take Wariner out - and wouldn't care if he were doped to the gills. Which he may be. Anyway, if Pickering begins to run 10.0 and faster consistently, it will be incredibly galling to a great many blacks. Good.
The fact that Obikwelu is saying the things he has shows he is concerned. Wariner's success has bothered many, many black sprinters and many of the gatekeepers also. There are some in track who are praying for Merrit to improve and take Wariner out - and wouldn't care if he were doped to the gills. Which he may be. Anyway, if Pickering begins to run 10.0 and faster consistently, it will be incredibly galling to a great many blacks. Good.