OLYMPIC silver medallist Jamie Baulch has questioned Basingstoke sprint star Rob Tobin’s chances of individual success next year, but admits he is more than happy to eat his words.
After winning European and Commonwealth 4x400m relay silver and bronze respectively in 2010, Tobin missed out on selection for this summer’s showpiece world championships in Daegu.
It was the first time since 2004 that Tobin has failed to represent Britain at the major international event of the year, and with his lottery funding now cut Baulch believes that could be the case again next year.
However, Baulch, who won Olympic 4x400m silver in Atlanta in 1996, is content to be left red-faced by Tobin – a former European under-23 champion and world one-lap relay silver medallist himself.
“Rob’s a fantastic guy who has always been a great competitor,” said Baulch. “But I’m just not sure if he’s a contender in the same way that someone like Martyn Rooney, who went to the world championships, could be.
“I don’t think he’s got that talent of being able to run mid-44 seconds because that’s what he will need to do if he wants to challenge the big boys. But who knows and this would be a great time to do it and show what he’s capable of. I’d be happy to be proven wrong in a year’s time.”
Indeed, Tobin’s personal best of 45.01 seconds has stood for six years with the Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC sprinter recording a best of just 45.72 this year.
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