London 2012 Olympics: Wells laments lack of Scots on track but sees hopes of medals elsewhere

IT MAY seem like just yesterday to those who watched it live on television, but it was 32 years ago that Allan Wells reached the pinnacle of his career with victory in the 100 metres at the Olympic Games in Moscow.

Scotland’s most successful sprinter ever has no obvious successor at this moment and is dismayed that there are no Scottish men in the track and field squad.

Wells said: “When we ran in 1980, or even back in ’76 and ’84, Scotland made a real contribution to the British men’s team. It is very sad, for whatever reason, that we are not doing so this time.

“I think the talent is there, and it really is about how we extract that talent, though of course it is all about individual commitment.

“I know there’s been a lot of discussion about this in Scotland and it wears me down, frankly, because as an athlete from the past, my feeling is that people just have to get on with it.

“Yes, there’s a lack of role models at present, but there must be people who have the potential, and there must be coaches that can help them. Keep the politics away and focus on the performance.”

Wells has already played his own part in the Games as one of those British gold medallists featured during Friday night’s extraordinary opening ceremony.

“The Games are going to be very successful,” said Wells, who was talking just before leaving for the ceremony, “and it’s going to be a privilege being up there with the other Olympians.

“Athletics is the main sport for most people, though in Scotland it will probably be the cycling because of Sir Chris Hoy which is fair enough.

“But the main energy and the excitement will be on the track in the Olympic Stadium and it is going to be fantastic. Team GB’s athletics squad could do well, though there are a few people who are injured and getting treatment.”

Triple jumper Phillips Idowu, who has been at loggerheads with the team management over his fitness, is a case in point: “The problem with him is maybe more one of internal politics. It has maybe been dealt with the wrong way, and I just hope he starts.”

For heptathlete gold medal prospect Jessica Ennis, the problem is when to lay off the pedal: “At the moment the apprehension is that she could do too much and pick up a twinge. It’s like a Formula One car – you cannot take it into a rally and over rough ground. You have to be calm and remain focused, and just make the final adjustments in the days leading up to the event.”

Dai Greene has a medal chance despite loss of form last year: “He’s an elusive character and I think the opposition have not seen the best of him.”

Wells is confident about Mo Farah: “He is the greatest distance runner we have ever had. For someone to be wearing a British vest and looking that good over long distances is just fantastic.”

Wells, who turned 60 in May, would love to see the sprint relay team emulate the gold medal success he enjoyed with the Scotland quartet in the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton in 1978, but can’t see it. A succession of dropped batons in major races by Team GB has seen their commitment to training questioned, but Wells has some sympathy for the sprint relay team.

He said: “They may make the final, but they may drop the baton in the heats, and it’s really 50-50 whether they do that. You need to get things right first time, and it’s all about attitude and commitment.

“In the 4 x 100m, you need to commit to going full out from the gun and right around the track, and you have to realise that when you have seven other guys coming at you and you’re in the middle lane, it can be quite overpowering and difficult to focus on your marker.

“There is confusion at the point, and the difference is that while you can do it in training, the atmosphere in the stadium makes it that more difficult to concentrate.”

Wells and his wife Margot will attend the final of the 100 metres courtesy of Deloitte: “With 80,000 people there, the atmosphere will be phenomenal. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt is favourite to win the gold medal, of course, and he was not even born when Wells had his golden moment in Moscow.

Can Scotland ever again produce the likes of Wells, not to mention Bolt? Let’s hope we don’t have to wait 32 years to find out.