Madrid - special to Irish Runner.com by Arran Hussey

After David Gillick's dazzling performance yesterday in this qualifying race where he ran a personal best of 46.17, what were the chances that he would have any emotional enrgy left for the final?

Tension had risen before the race got underway properly as Russian athlete Forshev false started. Skeptic's fears were quashed as Gillick immediately took to the shoulder of favourite David Canal (Spain) who covered the first 200 metres in a sizzling 21.74. Gillick started at a slower pace than many would have been expected. He explained that he knew that Canal was going to go out hard but felt that his own strength in the second half of the race meant that he should hold back. Home favourite David Canal and the Russian Forshev dominated the first 300 metres of the race clashing repeatedly. Gillick hung back passing the Russian with about 100 metres to go and then moving past Canal in the home straight.

With 20 metres or so of the race to go, Gillick had time to savour his victory. He explained, "Coming into the home straight I could see that Canal was tying up." Gillick (DSD) crossed the line in 46.30.

A cool and composed performance by David Gillick saw him gain Ireland's first sprint gold medal at a major championship since Bob Tidsell's Olympic victory in 1932. He told Irish Runner.com, "You dream of these days." The DIT Management student admitted that he didn't expect to win, "I knew there was a medal there today. Right now I feel a little tired, but I enjoyed it. It's a dream."

Gillick continued talking about his race to reporters, "It's a part of the 400 metres runner, I mean to box in and being boxed in. I did so well my recovery from yesterday's semifinal. Although I couldn't run today as fast as yesterday, I understand that it's very difficult to equal the result as I'm still a very young runner. A month ago I couldn't imagine to win at the Europeans".

2005 Madrid European Indoor Athletics Championships website