Carroll can mix it with best in Europe

Mark Carroll is probably the last athlete in Munich who wants to talk about his chances in another major championship final, but ahead of tomorrow's 5,000 metres he feels at least confident that his recent period of poor form is behind him.

It was four years ago in Budapest when Carroll made his finest breakthrough at senior level, winning 5,000 metres bronze and finally delivering on the potential that had been first revealed when he won the European junior title at the distance in 1991. Later, in 1998, he improved the Irish 3,000 and 5,000 metre records to a truly world- class 7.33.84 and 13.03.93.

Since then it's no secret that Carroll's inconsistency has been a problem. At both the Sydney Olympics in 2002 and the World Championships in Edmonton last summer he failed to even make the final. At times, too, all his fast running on the Grand Prix circuit was made to seem a wasted effort.

Without the all-conquering Africans, however, Carroll has always been able to mix it with the best in Europe. The absence of qualifying heats also improved his chances of repeating a medal-winning performance, and although he dropped out of two major races this year - in Cork and then Rome - his presence tomorrow cannot be ignored.

"I wouldn't be here unless I felt I was in shape to get a medal," he said yesterday. "Simple as that. I believe my form has turned around in last two weeks and right now I'm really looking forward to this race."

In Budapest it was two Spanish athletes who got the better of him, and to make an impression in Munich he'll have to contend with their best once again. The champion of 1998, Isaac Viciosa, is not among the starters because he failed to make the Spanish team, but it's countryman Alberto Garcia, the fastest in Europe this year with a 13.10.90 clocking, who is clearly the man to beat.

Hassan El Lahssini of France has also recorded a fearsome time of 13.04.32, but Carroll's best of 13.03.93 on paper makes him the fifth fastest in the field.

Also listed to start is Germany's favourite, Dieter Baumann. With the confidence of his stunning comeback in Wednesday night's 10,000 metres, where he collected the silver medal, plus the home support, it is certain that Baumann will launch another medal-winning challenge.

While Sonia O'Sullivan's gold-chasing run in the 5,000 metres is the main Irish interest this afternoon, she will be joined by Maria McCambridge and Una English. Both athletes have found it hard to mix it with the best on the track, but, no less than Carroll, they can take advantage of the African absence.

Another of the track finals to be relished this weekend is the men's 800 metres. Three athletes here are thinking of gold, but none more than Nils Schumann, who will also look to the German support to inspire his effort to regain the title he won so unexpectedly in Budapest four years ago.

Schumann then shocked the world when winning the Olympic title in Sydney two years back. But the Europeans now dominate the event ahead of the Africans, and two other world beaters - Wilson Kipketer of Denmark and Andre Bucher of Switzerland - also looked cool and determined in yesterday's qualifying heats.

Also concluding the Irish interest at these championships is the men's 4 x 400 metre relay squad. Headed by Paul McKee, and assisted by Rob Daly, David McCarthy, and Antoine Burke, they will be searching for a place in tomorrow's final when they go in the second of two qualifying heats today.

Meanwhile, Britain's Kelly Holmes, who was dumped out of the 1,500 metres in yesterday morning's heats, has insisted she had not pointed the finger at 800 metres winner Jolanda Ceplak.

Holmes refused to answer the Slovenian's demand for a "big apology", saying: "I have nothing to apologise for."

Holmes had sparked the controversy moments after finishing third behind Ceplak in the 800 metres on Thursday night when she said on television and in an interview afterwards that she had done it "clean".

The 32-year-old also made reference to "progression" and although she did not name Ceplak it left observers in no doubt to whom she was referring.

But yesterday Holmes insisted: "I said I was proud of my achievements and proud I did it clean. I didn't include anybody's name and everyone is jumping to conclusions. There is so many things said about sport and drugs these days."

Asked if she was talking about Ceplak, she said: "I didn't say that. Everyone is assuming I was talking about one person. What I said was I am proud to do what I did cleanly."

Again asked if she had accused Ceplak of taking drugs, she replied: "I didn't say she did. Everybody has different ways of interpreting things."