Hurtis-Houairi impresses over 400m but aims for 200m in Barcelona – European Athletics (EAA) – News

French sprinter Muriel Hurtis-Houairi says she hasn't ruled out a switch of disciplines to the 400m in the long term following an impressive performance over the distance at the weekend, but admits that her target this year remains a repeat of her 2002 European 200m gold at the Barcelona 2010 championships.

The 31-year-old, who is trained by Renaud Longuèvre, clocked 53.65 on Sunday in France in her first competitive lap in 12 years. Hurtis-Hourairi, who has been battling injuries, explained in an interview with French federation website www.athle.com  her reasons for running the impressive 400m, her injury worries and her goals for the European Athletics Championships  and beyond. Excerpts:

Muriel, why did you take part in the 400m over the weekend?
I was down to run the 100m but I hurt myself this winter (left hamstring) and I still have not returned to sprint training. The 100m was therefore too risky … so I decided the 400m would be good preparation for the 200m.

And you clocked an impressive time …
I was not expecting it. I started without real purpose. Renaud (Longuèvre), on learning that I was doing the 400m, thought it would be nice if I ran in 56 seconds, so I clocked this performance without necessarily wanting to go for a time. Renaud was very surprised. Frankly, I have no explanation for this performance. I started training barely a month ago because of my injury and my rehabilitation.

How did you feel during the race?
I did not know how to start. At the 200m mark, Lina (Jacques-Sébastien of France) passed me. I didn't feel tired and at 250 meters I put in a little help "boost"…the finish was still painful, though, especially the last 50 metres. The lactic acid mounted up and it hurt for a good quarter of an hour. But by Monday, I had no stiffness.

Was this your first competitive lap?
No, I had already run one in 1998 (54.44 seconds in an under-23 race). I had bad memories of it. I remember I had said then that it was the last time in my life that I would run that distance!

Is a switch in store to the 400m?
I do not know. Before, I might have said no. But there are certain things that could make me change my mind. I suffer a lot from my left hamstring injury. If it is affected every time I go fast, I could be forced to change to the 400 metres.

What are your goals for this season?
I hope to return to racing 200 metres in early June. But I am always apprehensive. I feel that my left hamstring is still very fragile. Still, I retain my hopes that I find my level in the 200m and we will see in Barcelona … I have high expectations this year. My obsession, though, is the injury. But I hope to go at least until 2012.

European Athletics (EAA) – News