Shannon McCann - Olympic Athletics Preview

Details

Category: Shannon McCann

Matt: Injury derailed your chance at a shot at making the Olympics, take us through what you have been up to?

Shannon: Training my butt off! Haha still trying to manage the back injury, have to get more scans just rule out a stress fracture in my L4 that might not be healing. I have good days and bad days, but my good days are outstanding and if I can keep healthy and my back pain under control then I have no doubt ill achieve my goals for next season.

Matt: How has your training been going?

Shannon: In a word; Brutal. My coach has been putting me through hell. But every time it gets hard and I feel like quitting I just ask myself WWSD, what would Sally (Pearson) do. Shes the best in the world, and Ive put the target on her back. In 2011 I spent the whole year chasing times and I felt that didn’t work too well for me, often trying too hard and stressing about times. My new approach is, chase Sally. The closer I get to her, the closer ill get to running 12.96, the world championships qualifier.

Matt: What emotions does it bring up for you when you hear the word Olympics?

Shannon: Sadness and regret. But at the same time excitement and anticipation. As much as I am sad that my Olympic dreams were over before they began, I am also beyond excited to cheer on my friends at the games and support all the Australian athletes as they realise their dreams.

Matt: You have been around athletics for a long time now, is there any athletes you have been in contact with that will be competing in London?

Shannon: While I chat with a lot of athletes on the team, I will be cheering extra super loud for Beki Lee, we were on the world uni games team together last year and she was the most supportive down to earth girl in the world. She’s an amazing person and an extraordinary road walker.

Matt: How do you think the Aussie Athletics team will go?

Shannon: I can guarantee the Aussie Spirit will be as strong as ever and everyone will perform to the best of their ability. I hope Eric Hollingsworth’s prediction of 6 medals will come true, but it’s the Olympics – the true test of courage and spirit – anything can happen, we could get more. I wouldn’t limit what the Aussie can do, we’re fighters and you’ve gotta be in it to win it!

Matt: Who are your picks to medal?

Shannon: For me the obvious medal hopes are Sally Pearson, Mitchell Watt and one of the walkers, Jared Talent seems the obvious choice for a medal but I wouldn’t rule out Nathan Deakes.
Throwers Benn Harradine, Kim Mickle, Jarrod Bannister and Dani Samuels are all strong contenders to push for a medal if they perform at their best at the games, as well as Alana Boyd in the women's pole vault, and despite struggling with form, I don’t think anyone can write off Steve Hooker in the men's pole vault.

Henry Frayne, in the mens long and triple jump is my pick for “up and coming athlete to watch” coming off an amazing domestic season and a world indoor medal in the long jump, I would not be surprised if he out performs his competitors and steals a medal.

Matt: What athletics event are you most looking forward to watching besides the obvious hurdles?

Shannon: Very much looking forward to the hurdles, and any event an Aussie is running, jumping or throwing in, but I LOVE watching distance races. Men's 5km and 10km has to be my favourite event to watch, I love the tactics and the head games. Men's 110m Hurdles is a highly anticipated event, would like to see the WR go in that one. Both the Men's and Women's 400m Hurdles will be great to watch with Aussies, Brendon Cole, Tristan Thomas and Lauren Boden all capable of making finals.

Matt: What other sports will you be watching besides the Athletics?

Shannon: I actually love the Diving. Probably because it reminds me of hurdles – graceful, clean and sharp with a small margin for error. Also looking forward to the cycling and the triathlons.

Matt: What is next for you?

Shannon: A medal at the World University Games in Russia next year is the main priority, if I happen to run the World Championships A-Qualifier in the mean time that will be fantastic, and while that is the goal, im not going to put the pressure on myself to do it. I’m just going to work as hard as I can at training and do everything right, then the results will take care of themselves. Stressing over times at the start of races wont make me run faster, so I guess the goal is perfection. Perfect training, perfect recovery, perfect mindset, perfect technique and then the perfect race will come.

• Next >