Ireland's new athletics star ready to impress
Kevin Batt, Ireland’s newest middle distance star is ready and waiting for Sunday’s European cross country championships.
If you haven’t heard of Kevin Batt, born and reared in Sydney before taking up a scholarship in Colorado, you will hear about him soon.
On current form, Batt debut's may see him impress as one of the top 10 across the line.
Batt’s parents Bill Batt and Cathy Stritch, both from Terenure in Dublin, moved to Australia some 26 years ago, where they have lived and worked since.
Their son Kevin represented the Aussie’s at the 2010 World Junior cross country, and this year changed allegiance to his parent’s country of birth.
“My dad is a real Irish man” explained Batt. “He’s always reading the Irish papers and keeping up to date with Gaelic games and the Irish rugby team.”
“He encouraged me to declare for Ireland, even when I got to represent Australia, he let me make my own decision and was supportive whichever way I went.”
Batt finished fourth in division two of the prestigious US collegiate cross country championships last Saturday, proving Ireland have got real quality added to their ranks.
“I’m Irish. I’ve always felt that way, I stay in Dublin with my auntie and all my relatives are around,” explained Batt.
“I’ve nothing against Australia, It’s difficult to explain it in America, people just say you’re an Aussie, but it’s about more than an accent.”
The 23 year-old wore the green singlet for the first time in June at the European team championships in Estonia, then took the Irish 5,000 meters title the following month.
“Running for Ireland and winning a national title, it really was a great summer,” smiles the wide-eyed Batt.
“Picking up my first national title was pretty special. My relatives saw me race for the first time because before then I was in the USA and Australia.”
All roads lead to the Bulgarian ski resort of Samokov on Sunday morning where Batt makes his first appearance in the green singlet at a major championship.
“I’m really honored to be going” added Batt. “I didn’t do the trials so it was down to the selectors to pick me.”
“I can take a lot of positives out of Saturday’s race in the US, it was similar conditions to what Samokov should be, and it didn’t take too much out of me.”
“Athletics Ireland have been great to me. They got me over early, which is helping me relax and prepare for Sunday.”
“I’ve had great support from teachers who have let me miss a couple of exams, my coach Damien Martin has been really supportive,” explained the Business student.
The muddy conditions on Sunday is what Batt enjoys, so by Sunday evening his name could be more familiar for Irish athletics fans.
