23 January 2013

Scotland’s Chris O’Hare and David Martin (coach: Sheila Atkinson) today visited children St Pauls High School in Glasgow ahead of the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match on Saturday 25 January.

O’Hare and Martin, who coaches at the school took part in a question and answer session with the children aged between 11-15 and both athletes passed on their tips to the next generation of athletes.

Martin, who will line up in the 4x400m team this Saturday said: “The kids here are something special. They give me a hard time for the things that I should be selected for, so hopefully they see me as a regular guy going out there and achieving what I want and hopefully that can motivate them.”

 “It’s all about hard work and having some long term goals. At the age they are now, you tend to have a day-to-day mentality and not really looking ahead to what you could achieve. They might think their school work is not that important if they want to be a runner, but it’s hugely important. I think it’s albout building some well-rounded adults not athletes or footballers is the main thing,” added O’Hare, who will face GB & NI compatriot Charlie Grice in the 1500m at the Emirates Arena.  

2013 was a successful year for O’Hare, breaking the Scottish Indoor record, before reaching the final at the IAAF World Championships and is excited to join the 44 global medallists that will be on show this Saturday.

“It’s going to be a tough test and the hardest test I’ve ever had to start the season and hopefully I can go out there, perform and not be too flat. It will be a good insight into what the summer will hold and it’s a great opportunity for the Scottish fans to know more about the sport and get behind us.

“It’s a pleasure to be asked and great to be competing in front of a home crowd for a change. It’s not very often I get the chance to compete in front of a Scottish support, so it will be good to have them behind me.”

Martin meanwhile, kicked off his season at the Emirates Arena last weekend, clocking 49.00 over 400m and the hurdles specialist is well aware of the task in front of him with the Olympic winning 4x400m Bahamas team running alongside him on Saturday.  

“It’s not often that you can say you’re going to compete against the Olympic champions so it’s a pretty big deal for me. There seems to be a lot of excitement around the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match, particularly with Scotland now in the meet, so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ve race at this meet before in the kids relay, but this is the first time I’ve competed in the main event. This is the year to do it and to be out there in front of a packed out Emirates Arena, I just can’t imagine what it’s going to feel like.”

The Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match is live on BBC One from 13.45 on Saturday