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July 15, 2009):
He's strong, determined and focused. At 37, he's a veteran on the Jamaican team for the 2009 World Championships in August. After ruling the roost as the island's premier 400m hurdler, this season Danny McFarlane has been playing second fiddle to Isa Phillips, the new national champion. Nonetheless, McFarlane is still in the game and commands a place among the world's leading 400m hurdlers.
Despite passing the mantle to Isa, Danny McFarlane is ready to take on the world in the one-lap event next month. With his preparation races in Europe on course, everything seems to be going according to plan based on his comments to Caribbean TrackLife back on May 30 and what he has done subsequently.
That day, after finishing 3rd in the 400m hurdles at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York McFarlane said: "I had a good race and I am very satisfied with my time of 48.89 sec. I feel I am on the right track because everything is coming together for me."
Less than two weeks later, the veteran athlete, who enjoyed many a success as a 4x4 relay and a flat 400m runner with a personal record of 44.90 in that event, clocked 48.80 secs. for 3rd at the IX European Athletics Festival on June 10 in an exciting race. The winner, Louis van Zyl of South Africa (48.71), and Britain's David Green (48.71) were separated in a photo-finish, with McFarlane a close 3rd.
Three weeks later (June 27), he registered 48.54 secs. for 2nd place at the Jamaica national senior trials behind Isa Phillips (48.05) and qualified for Berlin. He beat several younger hurdlers in the race to reach his goal of making the Jamaican team to Berlin.
McFarlane was again 2nd to Phillips (48.05) at the July 4 Madrid Grand Prix in 48.53 and ran the identical time of 48.53 a week later (July 13) at the Athens Grand Prix for 3rd place behind Phillips (48.09) and van Zyl (48.18).
Does Danny think about anybody else when he's competing? "When I race I just worry about myself; it is me against the world," he said.
The former quarter-miler who took up hurdling after running the 400 at the 2000 Olympic Games, has competed in the 400m hurdles at two Olympics (2004, 2008) and is making his 4th World Championship appearance in the event. He has a lifetime best of 48.0 secs. and says that while he is in good shape he's looking forward to doing his best. "I just want to stay injury-free," said the 2004 Athens Olympics silver medalist.
Commenting on his compatriots in the one-lap hurdles, McFarlane noted: "Isa Phillips is running very well and has one of the top times is the world so far. Also, Markino Buckley is working hard and is doing well. I wish those guys all the best because we are Jamaicans. But once we get to Berlin, we have to step it up."