Posted: July 31, 2004

Athletics: Running Faster - Brantford's Kevin Sullivan blasts Canadian Olympic Committee for qualifying standards that exceed international criteria

By John Kernaghan, The Hamilton Spectator

Kevin Sullivan - * Age:30 * Event: Has 26th fastest time in 1500 metres this year * Competed in 2000 Games

Kevin Sullivan's good news is that his running form is rounding into the shape of 2000, the kind that gave him Canada's best result on the track at the Sydney Games.

The Brantford speedster was fifth there in the 1500 metres with the expectation of getting into the final group of 12 again in Athens. But that 12 number looms in another way, the expectations of the Canadian Olympic Committee for top dozen standing that he worries might actually retard athlete development.

"It's fine for people like me who can make the high standard, but it does nothing to develop other athletes for the 2008 Games. Going to an Olympics as a developing athlete provides important experience for future Games."

Sullivan sees many good middle-distance runners following in his wake but feels little is served by the best of the bunch watching the Olympics at home due to COC qualifying standards that exceed international criteria and most other national benchmarks.

"And if the COC isn't going to send athletes to the Olympics, there has to (be) some commitment to getting them to other high profile events instead. I don't see that happening."

Sullivan also finds it a bit rich, by the way, that Canada's male rowers criticized track athletes for complaining about the overly demanding COC standards.

"There are only about 100 countries who participate in rowing versus 218 in track and field, and figures I saw indicate only about 50 nations are really competitive. It's a much more competitive pool in track because all you need are some shoes, not an expensive boat and seven teammates."

The real truth is that in some events in rowing, there are only a dozen to 15 really competitive boats while Sullivan's event, the 1500, is arguably one of the deepest in the Olympics. "There's as many as 30 guys who are just a few seconds apart. So I can't look too far ahead in my event. My goal is to make the final 12, then see what happens."

He certainly made it happen at the nationals in Victoria when he kicked for a time of 52.5 seconds over the final 400 meters to edge Jay Cantin by less than a second at the finish.

"If the heats are that close in Athens, I want to be used to being able to accelerate like that," Sullivan said after the race. "I'm strong from 500, 600 meters out."

He said he's feeling much the same as he did four years ago. "Based on the workouts I've been doing all spring, I'm as fit as I was in 2000, maybe fitter. I haven't been as consistent racing this year, which is a little frustrating. But things are coming together."

Timing is everything and Sullivan likes his right now.

"I'm getting faster every week. I think I've got a great shot of making the final, and once you make the final, everyone's got a shot for a medal."

jkernaghan@thespec.com.