Athletics: Black singlet fuels dreams of Goldie

An injury slowed Abby Goldie's progress at the beginning of her recent trip to the World Youth Champs, but she is fighting fit ahead of a busy summer campaign. Photo / George Novak

The summer track season lies ahead, but Tauranga Girls' College student Abby Goldie has already had a huge year as she chases a spot at next year's Commonwealth Games.

Back home after earning her first black singlet at a meet in Germany ahead of helping her medley team to 10th place at the World Youth Champs, she is currently working through the final stages of her winter training programme designed to build power and endurance.

It is clear that the high-class competition has lit a fire under the Year 13 student.

"It was amazing; just incredible being in the same place as athletes from all different countries," Goldie said.

"I learnt so much being there from the coaches and the competitors and it was an honour to wear the uniform.

"It was quite nerve-racking being in a different country getting used to the time difference and everything - I found it hard to adjust but in the end we did really well."

Tenth place in the medley relay represented a good return for the young New Zealand team, with Goldie happy with how her 100m leg and transition went in the fastest heat of the championships.

She would like to study sports science and earn a silver World University Games singlet to go with her black and white versions collected through international and Oceania competition, but grander thoughts, and inescapable truths, are never far away.

She will be 20-years-old at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games and 24 in Tokyo in 2020.

The timing, like her chances of crashing through those pesky barriers this season, appears favourable.