Most athletes tend to step up in distance with age but 400m sprinter Martyn Rooney has laid that particular theory to rest by switching down in distance.
Born in Croydon, South London to Irish parents, Liam and Marie, Rooney began life as a cross country and middle-distance runner while attending John Fisher School in Purley.
However, his talent for 400m was discovered after he was asked to compete in the one-lap sprint to make up the points in a fixture for his club Croydon Harriers. After running 49.4 as a 16-year-old for 400m he improved to 47.46 the following year and made his junior international debut.
But his plans to compete at the 2004 IAAF World Junior Championships with the Great Britain 4x400m were scuppered because he was found to hold only an Irish rather than a British passport and he was disqualified from competing at the event.
The following year, with a British passport now firmly in his pocket, the 6ft 5ins Rooney made an impact at the European Junior Championships, winning a silver medal in the 400m and anchoring the Great Britain 4x400m team to gold in Lithuania.
Such was his performance he was called up into the Great Britain 4x400m senior squad at the World Championships in Helsinki later that year. There he repaid the selector's faith by running an impressive 44.8 relay leg to help Great Britain to fourth in the final.
The following March, Rooney competed for England at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and smashed Roger Black’s 21-year-old British Junior record with an impressive 45.35 clocking. In the final he ran 45.51 for fifth.
Later that year he finished second at the AAA Championships and claimed double bronze in the 400m and 4x400m relay at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Beijing.
The Loughborough-based athlete, who hopes one day to step back up to the 800m, finished second in the 400m at the 2007 UK Championships in Manchester and despite running a season’s best 45.47 at the World Championships in Osaka he failed to progress beyond the 400m heats. He once again featured in the 4x400m relay, helping Great Britain finish sixth in the final in Japan.
Rooney made a breakthrough into world class in 2008, winning the European Cup in Annecy and dipping below the 45-second barrier for the first time to win the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace in 44.83. Three days later he made further progress, running 44.72 to win in Monaco.
His advancement was maintained at the Olympic Games as he set a personal best of 44.60 to win his semi-final, although he was a shade disappointed to finish sixth in the final in 45.12.
He was studying sports science management at Loughborough University, but has deferred his degree for a year to concentrate on his athletics. He is coached by Nick Dakin and he trains alongside Ireland’s two-time European Indoor 400m champion David Gillick.
His girlfriend is Great Britain pole vault international Kate Dennison.
Interview
Q What attracted you to the sport and how did you first become involved?
A I first became involved at primary school when I did cross country with my friends. Later at John Fisher Secondary School I played a lot of rugby as an outside centre/winger. I enjoyed the physical side of rugby and I enjoyed the success of scoring a try but I was never very good at sharing the glory.
Q Why did you take up 400m sprinting?
A I was mainly running 800m when I decided to run the 800/400m double at the county championships. After running 1:51 in the 800m, I ran 47.6 for the 400m and I’ve carried on with the 400s. I thought with my height I’ve got an advantage (over 400m) in that I have a big stride. I may not be as quick as the other guys over the 100m but I think holding your stride is just as important.
Q Which event do you prefer, the 400m or the 800m?
A The 800m is always something I’ve taken a massive interest in. I love watching it. It is the only event I admire more than the 400m. I know how hard it is, how much lactate they must be feeling in their legs. I’ll continue to run the 400m, although maybe in 2010 - in European and Commonwealth year - I might move up to the 800m.
Q You have Irish parents, Liam and Marie. Where are there from in Ireland and were you ever tempted to compete for Ireland?
A My dad’s from county Westmeath and my mum’s from Sligo. I was always brought up to be proud of my Irish heritage, but I think my dad always said I am English because I was born in England. I went to English Schools, I have an English accent a lot of support from English teachers and that made my mind up for me.
Q Britain comes from a strong 400m tradition do you find this an inspirational or daunting prospect?
A Today is a different generation with the likes of Tim (Benjamin), myself, Andy Steele and Chris Clarke and I think this generation can take things on. You had the golden era of Iwan Thomas, (Mark) Richardson, (Roger) Black, Jamie Baulch, (Du’aine) Ladejo. I look back at the past and say, ‘they’ve done it, so why can’t we do it?’
Q Who was your athletics idol when you grew up?
A When I was younger Jamie Baulch was the No.1 sort of guy. He was a smooth looking runner, similar to Jeremy Wariner. I like watching smooth runners because they make it look easy.
Q What other interests do you have, outside of athletics?
A I like listening to music. I’m a typical athlete I like listening to music DVDs. My girlfriend, Kate Dennison (the British women’s No.1 pole vaulter), has got a level head and calms me down. I like normal things, such as going to the cinema and listening to music.