Athletics: Greene goes for Euro glory

Jul 12 2007 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

WELSH hurdler David Greene will be gunning to weaken Russia’s all-round power at the European Under-23 Championships in Hungary this weekend.

Britain will be looking for a one-two in the 400m hurdles where Greene, the European Junior silver medallist from Llanelli, and Ben Carne of Harrow lead the rankings.

If successful, Greene would be the third Welshman to win the title in six years.

Team-mate Rhys Williams, 23, is the current title-holder – he returned home victorious from Erfurt in 2005, contributing to Britain’s fourth-place finish.

Before that, Cardiff’s Matt Elias triumphed in 2001.

Williams, the British No 1, who is currently injured, believes that a good performance by Greene would have a knock-on effect in Wales.

“David is an immense talent and it would be great if another Welsh athlete can do well, and hopefully win, at the European Under-23s because it would reflect the level of talent we’ve got here in Wales.

“Hopefully, it would inspire other young athletes to emulate the likes of Dave Greene to do well.

“The 400m hurdles is not a one-horse race in Wales and that means it pushes up the standard as a whole.”

Greene views a good performance in the city of Debrecin as a stepping stone.

“It would be great to keep the title in Wales and I’d love to follow in the footsteps of Rhys and Matt,” he said.

“They’ve both gone on to great things. I’ve been injured for the last five weeks so I’m a bit of an unknown quantity at the moment. I was in great shape before the injury so we’ll have to wait and see.”

Greene was forced to pull out of the Spar European Cup in Munich last month due to an inflamed tendon.

He hopes to secure a spot on the GB team heading to Osaka for the World Championships in August.

Wrexham’s Faye Harding also features on the start lists in Hungary.

She is ranked eighth in the 400m – an event dominated by Russia, who boast the top four favourites.

A student at Loughborough University and coached by Nick Dakin, she set a new BUSA record this year in the 400m flat.

Pole vaulter Paul Walker from Rhoose is also up against the tough Russian challenge.