Beijing Dispatches By Frank Greally Jamie Costin is a real modern day warrior – an Olympic warrior at that
The Waterford man overcame much adversity over the past four years to get to the start line of the men’s 50 kilometer walk here in Beijing and yesterday, in searing hot conditions, he had to call on every reserve he could muster to achieve an honourable finish in this incredibly tough event.
The race was won by the Italian, Alex Schwazer in 3:37.09 and Costin struggled to hold down 44th position in 4.15.16-finishing in a daze and requiring immediate medical attention.
Costin gave this event every last ounce of energy that he possessed and after coming off the track he was unable to descend a difficult set of steps that leads to the mixed zone.
Some quick thinking was demanded of Irish Track & Field Team Manager, Patsy McGonagle who, along with Team Doctor, Bill Cuddihy, had to breach tight security lines to ensure that Costin was given a safe passage to the medical room.
Within fifteen minutes, the teak tough Waterford man was back on his feet and talking with the Irish media whose respect he had earned on the roads surrounding the ‘Birds Nest’.
“It has been a tough and winding road for me to get here,” Costin said. “I know my placing is not good enough, but it was really important for me to finish this Olympic event. “I was really tired at 38 kimometers and the final twelve kilometers were very tough for me.”
“Costin’s never say die attitude earned him huge respect here in Beijing. He was never prepared to throw in the towel on a day when even spectators were desperately seeking the shade in sheltered spots around the 50 kilometer race walk course close to the Olympic Stadium.
“No matter what happened out there, I knew that I had to finish the course,” Costin said. “My family are here and it has been eight years since I last competed in an Olympic Games, so I wanted to make the best of my chance here in Beijing.”
Four years ago, Costin’s race walking career looked almost certain to have come to an abrupt end following a bad car accident at the Athens Olympics.
There had to be many dark days and nights following that accident in Athens when Costin must have felt incredibly low. He had to contend with and accept the smashed vertebrae, the near paralysis, the body cast from neck to pelvis, the six months learning to walk on crutches and the two years of getting back to some decent level of fitness.
Costin’s story is a profile of courage and extraordinary self-belief. It was something of a miracle that he was able to compete here in Beijing, but he would be the last man to look for any excuses explain his low placing in the 50k event.
Eight years ago, in the Sydney Olympics, Jamie Costin again walked himself to a standstill to fulfill his Olympic dream. And he will be back again four years from now – refreshed, renewed and even more experienced and ready for battle.
Beijing Dispatches 2
By Frank Greally
Cragg in the zone
The news from the Irish Camp here in Beijing is that Alistair Cragg is set and ready for action in tomorrow night’s men’s 5,000m Olymic Final.
Cragg was understandably upset immediately after finishing his 5,000m qualifying heat, as he felt he had blown his chances of making the Olympic Final.
However, he responded well to the news of his ‘fastest loser’ miracle qualification and Irish Team Manager, Patsy McGonagle, is confident that Cragg will now do himself some justice in the Olympic final.
“Alistair will need to engage and be prepared to mix it in the the final and I think that he will go in there well prepared and ready to give it his best shot,” Patsy McGonagle said. “He responded very well to the news of his qualification and all is well with him right now.”
Posted 22.08.08