Frustrated Shinkins Fails In Final Bid
Doyle Believes Hurdler Can Spring a Surprise

Coach Paul Doyle was in reflective mood. "I've got to say, first of all that I am proud of Karen's efforts tonight, but at the same time a bit disappointed. She's capable of much more at the moment, and she knows it. She went through 300m in 36.9 which is where she needs to be at that point in the race, but she used up too much energy in the 3rd 100m to get there", he added, "It was a very fast race as expected, but I feel Karen is capable of competing at the absolute highest level, so we come away somewhat frustrated." As the season closes, the national record of 51.07 is still in her sights. "Karen will race in two 300m races in Belgium next week and finish out her season with a 400m race on the 20th in Sweden. We will really be aiming to hit a new national record there. Casting his mind back over the past twelve months, he couldn't help but feel optimistic about future plans. "Overall Karen has had her best season of her career so far, with a 16th place finish in the World and her second and third best times of her life. Looking back at all of this, it is hard to be upset, but we know there is more there."

Karen Shinkins Winning 2001 400m Title
photo by Paul Cummins

Doyle's second athlete into Championship competition is 110m-hurdler Peter Coghlan. Running in lane 7 of today's final heat of qualifying, the Irishman will have Olympic finalist Dudley Dorival to his outside and African record holder, Shaun Bownes on the inside.