by Larry Eder
So much talk was given to the subject of “Plastic Brits” at this weekend’s British championships. A phrase too often used to malign the presence of new stars in a British Vest, by the press and sometimes their competitors. Many like to big up the attendance of these athletes on the start lists whom have a different accent or heritage to theirs and then focus on the way they have made their accent to the top of the track and field food chain.
Why do they deserve to be here? Do they know the national anthem? Is this all for the money?
Of course, scarcely a second thought would be given to the presence of these runners, jumpers and throwers if they weren’t being successful, or more importantly ‘stealing the places of other athletes’.
Let’s make this clear, almost no-one is assured of a place on the plane to Beijing. It is down to his or her performances that season. Nothing is being stolen.
“For me as a competitor I think it’s important to just let your performances speak for themselves so I don’t really do too much talking, I’m just looking forward to going to Beijing and hopefully doing well.” Tiffany Porter said this weekend to echo that belief. While it may be impossible to stop the press from pressing on the issue, this should at least remain the modus operandi of the athletes.
No matter what their creed, colour or motivation, as long as this athlete has been able to produce the standard set by UKA to make the team, they are the ones that deserve to go. After all, they will have spent just as many hours working their ass off to get to that position as any other person. Even if some of that training was done in a foreign setting.
If these athletes are going to improve the level of the domestic competition then great! This is not only better for the whole field but also the fans too, especially those who have on occasion, been forced to endure the painfully average standard of performances here in the UK.
On Saturday the two greatest prospects for the Beijing world championships to fall under this notorius tag, Cindy Offili and Zharnel Hughes showed the importance of letting their performances do the talking.
Cruising to qualification ahead of some of those athletes that had openly questioned their presence. First Offili finished 2nd to sister and former main target of the “plastic Brits” jibe Porter, before Hughes smashed away the field to claim his first national title at a canter.
While both should have been getting the plaudits for their strong performances in the adverse weather conditions, they were instead bombarded with questions such as “How much do you know about Woodford Green athletics club?” and “What has your first experience of Great Britain been like?”.
“It’s so nice…My sister’s always said good things about GB and how she’s enjoyed running and the support they give and everything that comes with it.” Offili replied to the latter query. Although I’m sure she wasn’t including the haranguing of such questions in that sentiment.
One of the nicest things to see during this process has been the show of respect and support Porter has given to her younger sister as she has faced such questions. Rather than allow her sister to be encroached and gotten at alone, the 27 year-old stood alongside her much younger sibling and made sure she got through her first experience of the British media just fine. Even giving the slight occasional glare to ensure that we knew that she wouldn’t let “us” put Offili through all the stuff she initially went through in 2011.
As for Hughes he was asked the naive question of “Will it feel different running in a GB vest than an Anguilla vest?” We all know the answer is really yes, but the teenager managed to reflect angle of his situation perfectly: “I’ve been longing to run in a uniform that says a country on it so to go out there and represent Team GB I’l go out there and give it my true potential.” he said. Here is someone who just wants his rightful chance to mix it with the world’s best, but faces an impossible task to do so within his own country. He had two options, to risk everything to maybe make it against the world’s greatest sprinters at the Jamaican trials or breeze into the British team, ensuring that dream could remain a reality.
Only a fool would have chosen to be in Kingston last weekend, rather than in Birmingham in July and yet he continues to be scrutinised.
Sadly this will undoubtably be one of the stories that continues to run and run for the next 6 weeks until Beijing and then as we head to Rio 2016. However I wonder just how quickly it would disappear should either athlete bring back Team GB some silverware from the their first outing in the famous union jack vest.
