Athletics: Snell says Aussie is handing gold medal to Willis

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Peter Snell believes Australian Craig Mottram is practically handing New Zealand's Nick Willis the 1500m gold medal in Melbourne.

Mottram is attempting to win an unprecedented 5000m/1500m double at a Commonwealth Games but Snell said competing in tomorrow's longer race would take the edge off Mottram come the 1500m final.

"He's pretty much handing it to Nick," Snell told the Herald on Sunday. "Nick has a better finish. If the Kenyans make the race hot [fast], Mottram's going to have something taken out of him. Sounds like Nick's in great condition. He just has to keep out of trouble and turn it on in the last lap."

Dallas-based Snell has been a mentor to Willis during his time in the US. A blistering last 400m was Snell's hallmark and he has seen a similar ability in the 23-year-old Wellingtonian. "I'm folloing his career with great interest," said Snell. "I'm impressed with what he is doing."

Snell won Olympic gold in Rome in the 800m in 1960 and then did the 800m/1500m double in Tokyo four years later. In between, he won gold in the 880 yards and the mile at the Perth Empire Games.

Snell was a raging favourite in Perth because legendary Australian runner Herb Elliott had retired. Elliott was unbeaten over 1500m and the mile but Snell took a swipe at the feat.

"That doesn't impress me so much if you don't put yourself out there," said Snell. "It would have been a great showdown. Perth was Herb's hometown ... Herb had this very short career and stopped."

The inference is clear - Elliott went into hiding to avoid one.

Elliott beat Snell over a mile after Rome - where the Australian won 1500m gold - while Snell defeated Elliott over 880 yards.

There was never a rematch, although Snell said Elliott did front up when the New Zealander was the subject of This Is Your Life. "On the subject of a rematch, Herb said: 'You know what would've happened. I would've tanned your ass.' Typical Australian," said Snell.

Snell also appeared on Elliott's This Is Your Life.

 -HERALD ON SUNDAY