Cronje lines up in Brussels Diamond League

Cronje said on Wednesday he was delighted to be included in the field, although he had been entered in the men’s 800m B race in Brussels. “I’m not disappointed at all,” Cronje said.

“As with so many things in life you have to earn your spot.” The 31-year-old middle-distance specialist clocked a career best of one minute, 45.64 (1:45.64) at the World Challenge meeting in Berlin last week.

If he had been faster in that race, Cronje believed he would have been included in the A field this week. He was set to face a strong line-up in Brussels, including former European Championships bronze medallist Michael Rimmer of Britain.

“If I finished up front in Berlin my chances would have been better to run the A race, but I wasn’t, and that showed that I am not ready to take them on over 800m yet. Maybe next year?” he said. “The B race is packed with guys with faster PB’s than mine so I will not have it easy in there either.”

He believed he was more prepared for a race over seven-and-a-half laps, and could have broken the national record of 7:41.06, held by Juan van Deventer, had there been a 3000m race on the schedule. “I’m actually disappointed not to be able to run a 3000m now,” he said.

“I feel my training was more 1500m/3000m orientated up to now so a sub 7:40 was definitely on the cards.”

– Sapa