David McNeill | Not Done Yet

Last night a 34-year-old David McNeill toed the line for a 5000m race in Perth. His personal best stood at the 13:18.60 he ran in 2012, and the Olympic qualifying standard was a distant 13:13.50. 

But 13 minutes and 12 seconds later, Australia had its most recent Tokyo-qualified athlete.  

Paced by Melbourne Track Club teammate Stewart McSweyn and Western Australia’s Matt Smith, McNeill waited patiently behind Matthew Ramsden before a world-class final kilometre saw him clinch the Olympic standard in a time of 13:12.82. 

“Everyone’s had a bit of a strange year with COVID-19 but I have had some somewhat unique challenges, and I can actually say I am proud of that effort. I don’t always say that but I can safely admit I’m pretty proud of that one,” he said. 

Although McNeill has competed at the last two Olympic Games, the result came as a shock to many – including McNeill himself. McNeill’s performance makes him the sixth fastest Australian man of all time, and fourth fastest on home soil – emphasisng the significance of the run. 

“I had the goal of trying to run a PB this year and I really just tried to dig deep for the last couple of laps; I was definitely surprised. I thought a PB would be a great day but to get under the time was something extra,” he said. 

The feat sees McNeill join McSweyn and Patrick Tiernan as athletes who have qualified in the 5000m, with a maximum of three athletes able to compete in the event at the Olympics. 

But with Matthew Ramsden and Morgan McDonald likely to throw their hat in the ring before the qualifying period concludes on June 29, McNeill concedes the race for an Olympic berth is far from over. 

“I’ve done the best I can do, and I’ll keep doing the best that I can do. If I get to Tokyo then that’s great but if I don’t, then I’ve been beaten by better runners and that’s alright too.” 

A 7:46.41 personal best over 3000m in early April suggested the Victorian was in good shape, but last night’s breakthrough leaves McNeill brimming with confidence as he sets off to Europe tonight.

“I’ve been in this shape before, but it takes a bit of good fortune for these things to happen. I don’t take for granted that those opportunities are rare, and I’ve been very fortunate to have a couple of them in the last month,” he said. 

“I’m wiser than I was five or ten years ago, hopefully that helps going into the European season.” 

Coached by Nic Bideau, McNeill has taken the time to reflect on his athletics journey to date – one that he declares is far from over. 

“My first Olympics I was rooming with Craig Mottram and I spent a lot of my career racing and training with Collis Birmingham,” he said. 

“Now to be nestled between these two lanky boys on the plane tonight it’s almost like a full circle because these guys are the next generation. 

“I’ve been fortunate enough to rub shoulders with some of the greats and Stewy [McSweyn] and Rambo [Ramsden] are definitely the real deal. They are the future of Australian distance running and I’m grateful to be a part of that daily.” 

McNeill is set to kick-start his European campaign in the 5000m at the Gateshead Diamond League on May 23, leaving the seasoned veteran sufficient time to prepare to turn it up a notch against the world’s best athletes in a bid to make his third Olympic Games appearance.

By Lachlan Moorhouse
Posted: 12/5/2021