CHRIS Baillie produced one of the most uplifting and triumphant performances in the annals of Scottish sport when he ran the fastest race of his life to dead-heat for the 110 metres hurdles gold medal at the European Junior Champion-ships in Riga, Latvia.
The 18-year-old Baillie, younger brother of the Scottish senior record-holder, Ross Baillie, who died tragically seven weeks ago after an extreme allergic reaction, thus captured a title which had not only eluded his late brother, but even the reigning world record-holder, Colin Jackson.
The Welshman, who finished runner-up for this title in 1985, then went on to win world junior gold a year later, and an unrivalled catalogue of honours.
Jackson had identified the elder Baillie as his potential successor, and Ross was living with him in Bath. He and his coach, Malcolm Arnold, were grooming Baillie there when Ross bit into a chicken sandwich, believed to have contained a form of peanut, to which he was allergic.
He spent three days on life support after having suffered a massive anaphylactic shock, and died on June 19.
His organs, including his heart, were subsequently transplanted.
Jackson and Arnold were ecstatic on learning of Chris's success: ''I am so pleased for the whole family,'' said Arnold.
Though celebrating at a disco on a cruise liner moored in the River Daugava after his victory in 13.92 seconds, and delighted by his success, Chris was subdued on contemplating the emotional implications as he spoke to The Herald.
''I just tried to focus on the race, and put everything else out of my mind,'' said the Victoria Park athlete, still wearing the medal round his neck.
''I guess it will all sink in when I start thinking about it over the next few days.''
Baillie, from Clydebank, is Scotland's first European junior champion since Elliot Bunney and Jamie Henderson won back-to-back 100m titles in the mid-1980s, and will now go to Chile for the world junior event next year believing he is capable of winning.
''How much will I have to find? I think it will take 13.6 or 13.7 to win gold, so I have to think it is possible,'' he said.
Baillie went into the championships as only fourth fastest in the rankings, but was second quickest after the heats. ''I thought if I ran a clean race that I could win, but I made it hard for myself. I did not get out of my blocks that well, and hit the second hurdle.''
In a lunging dip at the line he stopped the clock at exactly the same time as Spaniard Felipe Vidancos. ''It was disappointing that the wind was over the limit, at 3.0 metres per second, otherwise I'd have had the Scottish record as well,'' he said.
That stands to his late brother, at 14.01. It is the only age-group record of his brother's which he has yet to capture, but Chris has a further year in which to secure it.
His parents, Hugh and Shiela, were on holiday, and learned of their son's success in a phone call via his coach, Bob Sommerville.
''My first thought was for Chris, but my second was for his mum and dad,'' said Sommerville. ''We knew he had a medal chance, but that, and the circumstances, I felt, put a bit of pressure on Chris. It's a cliche, but he has come of age in the past few months.
''Chris was good techni-cally between the hurdles, but there's plenty scope for improvement. He clipped four flights and flattened the tenth to the ground.''
Though Avonside steeplechaser Iain Murdoch missed the final in Riga by one place, he ran close to his best with 9-03.01, while Kris Stewart, from Chirnside, anchored the UK 4 x 400m squad to bronze last night.
Bailie's gold was one of only two won by Britain in Latvia. The other was by triple jumper Tosin Oke (16.57m) yesterday. The UK finished with two gold, five silver, and two bronze medals.
Meg Ritchie-Stone, the Scottish performance director, was enthusiastic about Baillie's gold, and the fact that three Scots were in the medals.
Richard McDonald led at the final flight in the 400m final, but faltered and finished second with 51.62. ''It is great news, for this is the future of our sport. With the support of our new backers, the Bank of Scotland, we have the resources to nurture them.''
She was speaking as she celebrated first signs of success with this support. The Scottish age-group team tied 152-each with Ireland in the Celtic International. ''But we won the match. With 19 victories, we'd more outright wins,'' said Meg.
q Leader comment - Page 12
q Radcliffe doping plan - Commentator Page 11
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