Willis ticking down to Olympics 1500m qualification

United States-based Willis, formerly of the Valleys United club, ran a personal best of 3min 37.48s over 1500m at a meeting in Poznan, Poland, at the weekend.

The 20-year-old shaved more than 4-1/2 seconds off his previous best time to finish fourth. He was just outside the world championships and 2004 Athens Olympics B qualifying target of 3min 37.10s.

Rogers, who is Athletics New Zealand's performance manager, made the 1500m final at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and has a PB of 3min 36.48s. He was impressed by Willis' performance at the weekend.

"That's a good sizable chunk (off his PB)," he said.

Rogers has kept in close contact with Willis, who is at Michigan University on a three-year scholarship, and knew he was in the right shape to run a fast time.

"I'm just pleased that it's happened for him," Rogers said. "My fear sometimes with these kids in America is that they don't get the opportunity in the right races at the right time, because of their school commitments, to show their true potential."

Rogers is confident Willis can qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympics.

"Definitely, based on performances he's been doing on and off the track, there's no reason why he can't.

"It's hard putting labels on people when they're so young . . . He finished fourth at the world junior champs last year so there's no reason why he can't move on through."

Rogers is wary of putting too much pressure on Willis, though admits an Olympic appearance would be "great" for the sport.

"It's that part of the sport that attracts a lot of attention, particularly in New Zealand because of our proud heritage right back to the (1500m Olympic gold medalists) Lovelocks, Snells, Walkers and co."

Even if Willis does qualify for world championships, in Paris in August, Rogers said he was likely to by-pass them. He is planning to come home to New Zealand at the end of next month for a break.

"Nick's had a long year – he's done a full cross-country, indoor and outdoor season.

"We'd like him – if he could make the world champs team – to take that up, but his long-term focus is to make Athens next year so it's probably a good decision."