INTERVIEW: Joe Thomas faces European Athletics challenge

Cardiff athlete Joe Thomas is the only Welshman in the Great Britain squad competing at the European Indoor Athletics Championships this weekend.

And Thomas, one of the two 800m runners selected for the British squad, is feeling confident ahead of tonight’s heats at the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy.

He said: “I'm excited and really looking forward to getting out there. I’m feeling confident. I won the UK Championships, setting a new indoor personal best.

“I also ran my fastest time last week in the 400m, beating my outdoor time in the process.

“This put me number one in Wales over this distance. This has given me extra confidence knowing the speed is in the bank."

Thomas, who runs for the Cardiff Amateur Athletic Club, will come up against some of the fastest 800m runners in Europe.

But this has not fazed Thomas in the build up to the competition.

“I've not really looked over the start list,” he said. “I prefer to put all the focus on myself.

“I know I'm in shape and I know what it will take to get the best out of myself, which should hopefully lead to a good performance.

“You need consistency throughout the rounds, mental stamina and you need to be really tactically aware indoors.”

Caerphilly-born Thomas will need to continue his brilliant form tomorrow night if he is to qualify for the semi-finals on Saturday, and essentially the final on Sunday.

But Thomas, who reached the 800m final at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi last October, feels he is prepared for the challenge.

He said: “The fact the Commonwealth Games was a similar three round set up to this will give me the confidence I can cope with the demand of the rounds.

“I've had a look around the venue today and it looks really exciting. The crowd is super near the track so the atmosphere should be great.”