Athletics: Rawlinson's gladiatorial instinct

Chris Rawlinson faces the challenge of his life this weekend when he makes his European Cup debut. Ten barriers and a world-class 400 metres hurdles field await him. But at least he will not encounter Rhino trying to knock him over with a giant cotton bud.

The 25-year-old from Rotherham, who secured his trip to Munich at late notice by smashing a 10-year-old British League record, knows what it is like to test himself against apparently overwhelming odds.

Two years ago he was among the 16 final contenders in The Gladiators TV series, reaching the second round. In so doing, he became acquainted with the physical commitment of Messrs Wolf, Raider, Hunter and the mighty Rhino.

"They were very competitive," he said. "They took it as a personal insult when they lost. If one did badly, the others tried even harder to stop you."

A team ethic of a different kind will prevail for Rawlinson this weekend as he has his first experience of the competition in which every point, even the one awarded for eighth and last, counts towards a national total.

Not that Rawlinson, whose only previous race of similar high profile was in the GB v USA match at Gateshead two years ago, is planning on coming last. There are likely to be at least three men faster than him, including France's European record holder, Stephane Diagana, but the Belgrave Harrier is hoping to make fourth place, with an additional target of running faster than 49.50sec, which would put him into the British all-time top 10.

Rawlinson, who only finished sitting exams for his sports science degree at Loughborough University last week, is well aware that he is operating in an event where there is a great British tradition. David Hemery, Alan Pascoe, Kriss Akabusi and Jon Ridgeon have all achieved major medals in the 400m hurdles, and Rawlinson has studied them all, either on tape or in real life.

"Hemery was a very graceful hurdler," he said. "Kriss had to work harder. But he was a bit of a role model because he made everything seem so enjoyable. Jon is one of the most talented athletes around, but he has been so unlucky with injury over the years."

Ridgeon's latest injury, and the apparent retirement of Peter Crampton, made the European Cup 400m hurdles selection an apparently simpler matter this year, but the two men thought to be the main contenders - Gary Cadogan and Gary Jennings - were both well beaten by Rawlinson at a windswept British League meeting on 7 June.

Running into the wind, the former decathlete took the lead over the ninth hurdle and pulled away to win in 49.92sec, a personal best by 0.44sec, a League record by 0.07, and - best of all - inside the World Championship qualifying mark. With one run, Rawlinson had transformed his season, perhaps his career.

"It's surprising what four-tenths of a second can do," he said with a chuckle. "Before the race I had been concentrating on my revision and I had given up hope of making the European Cup team. I couldn't seem to get into races competitive enough to push me to the time I needed."

Ironically, had Cadogan not turned up to the League match, Rawlinson might not have raised his level of performance. "If it wasn't for Gary, I wouldn't have done it," Rawlinson said. "He was pretty peeved afterwards. But that's what this sport is about. I was over the moon when the time was announced. The whole thing was brilliant, apart from the fact that I was sick for half an hour afterwards."

There followed a nervous 48 hours before his place in the team was confirmed through Teletext. "I was checking it every few minutes," he said.

Two years ago his wife Sue, a PE teacher, learned of her inclusion in the British team for the world indoor and outdoor championships by the same means. Now it was his turn.

Rawlinson worked for six years as a lifeguard at Ponds Forge pool in Sheffield. "I never saved anyone's life," he said. "In reality I was a child-minder."

As he prepares to take the plunge in earnest, he is enjoying the attention his call-up has generated. In the last week he has had a hand-out from a sports goods manufacturer and an invitation to join the list of athletes claiming National Lottery funding as well as front cover billing in Athletics Weekly.

"It's great to be in the same team as people like Linford Christie, Sally Gunnell and Roger Black," he said. "I'm still a bit of a nobody, but I've been given the chance to prove myself. And I'm up for it."