IRISH RACE WALKER Rob Heffernan has not yet made any decision on his future in the sport despite widespread speculation that he had retired.
The 39-year-old Cork man’s eighth place finish in the 50km walk at the World Athletics Championships was considered to be his final race by many, but speaking to Kathryn Thomas on RTÉ’s Ray D’Arcy Show, Heffernan revealed that he hadn’t ruled out competing at the 2018 European Athletics Championships in Berlin.
“I’d love to develop the sport here in Ireland put something back in and maybe the best way to do that is by still taking part,” he said.
There is a European Championship next year and the fact that I am still competing at the highest level is a factor. I reckon I was only 85 or 90% the last day and I was eighth.
Heffernan admitted that he had been approached to coach outside of Ireland, but after the bones of a year spent either in competition or in preparation for it, said he would not be making his decision too hastily.
“People have been asking me if I am going to be coaching in Ireland and I have had offers to go coaching abroad,” he said.
“I’m going to evaluate everything over the next few months, take a break and see what floats my boat. I’m not going to make any rash decision. You are institutionalised for last 11 months you need to take a step back.”
As for his performance in London, the 2013 world champion pointed towards a throat infection which had scuppered his preparation, but explained that he was yet to fully assess what most perceived to be his final outing.
“You don’t want to focus on it; you want to keep everything positive.
It’s only now when the dust settles and you are evaluating the splits and you are evaluating your heart rates.
“What went wrong – could I have done better, could things have gone worse? You’re just taking everything into account.”
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