BRENDAN BOYCE FEELS he is closing in on medal territory at European and World level following a top 20 finish in the men’s 50k race walk at the Olympic Games in Rio.
The Milford man was competing in his second Olympics and yesterday evening returned home after spending a week recuperating in Cork, where he is now based with coach and fellow race walker Rob Heffernan.
“I’ve digested the result and it was more or less what I could have achieved on the day,” he told Donegal Sport Hub.
“I’m happy to have come away with a top 20 finish in the Olympic Games.
“The whole field was strong. People are so focussed on this one race. That’s more prevelant in race walking than other events.”
He said: “I was a bit worried at half-way when I was still in the mid-30s. I was able to stay strong and a lot of guys came off in the last 10k.
“I was coming through the field and I felt strong at the end. I was working away with a good group and was hoping to push on for the end – which I did.
“My base speed wouldn’t be as good as a lot of the guys so I have to judge my own strengths. I stay conservative and make sure my drinks are good, so I can take people out in the last 10k.”
In London 2012, Boyce finished in 3:55:01, finishing in 29th position with that result later upgraded to 26th following disqualifications.
The high volume of dropouts in Rio laid bare the brutality of the 50k race walk.
Boyce said: “It’s a brutal race. 80 started and only 49 finished. These guys are training for years and they still find it hard to get to the finish line. The DQs and the DNFs are huge in a 50k race.”
Boyce will take part in a four-day competition in China later this month and says he will the ‘re-evaluate’ his plans ahead of next year’s World Championships in London. He is considering doing two 50k race walks in 2017 as he gets ready for another Olympic cycle and the road to Tokyo 2020.
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/brendan-boyce-on-return-home-from-olympic-games
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