Few combinations in athletics are as revered — or as punishing — as the 5000m and 10,000m. Yet India’s Gulveer Singh rode both challenges in Glasgow, adding a bronze in the 5000m to the silver he had claimed in the 10,000m days earlier to script one of Indian athletics’ finest Commonwealth Games campaigns.In doing so, Gulveer became the first Indian to win two athletics medals at a single Commonwealth Games, leaving long-time coach Scott Simmons beaming with pride.“Honestly, all I knew after meeting the Indian distance runners at SAI Bengaluru was that they had a lot of untapped potential,” Simmons told TOI from Glasgow on Sunday.That potential was on full display in Glasgow. If the 10,000m tested Gulveer’s endurance, the 5000m demanded patience and precision — qualities he displayed throughout the race.Staying on the inside rail to cover the shortest possible distance, Gulveer remained between third and eighth spots for much of the race, resisting the temptation to make unnecessary moves.It was all part of the plan.“It was important not to get boxed in or behind with so many runners, and so many very good runners, in one heat,” Simmons explained.Then when eventual winner Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang of Kenya surged into the lead at the start of the final lap, Gulveer bided his time, waiting for the right moment to launch his challenge. Simmons knew his ward possessed the finishing speed to make patience pay.“What has impressed me the most is his last 400m, 200m and 100m finishing speed. I didn’t see that coming until his 5K at LA Track Fest this spring, where he ran 13:03.93. He was able to outkick true 1500m/5000m runners off a relatively fast pace,” Simmons said.With about 200 metres remaining, the battle for the remaining two podium places came down to Gulveer, Australia’s Ky Robinson and Kenya’s Cornelius Kemboi. For a brief moment, it appeared Gulveer would claim silver, with Kemboi settling for bronze.However, Robinson, the 10,000m champion, produced a brilliant late kick to snatch silver, while Gulveer did just enough to hold off Kemboi and secure bronze in 13:24.95, completing a historic Commonwealth Games campaign.Despite the short turnaround between the two races, Simmons revealed there was little deviation from the routine that had helped Gulveer arrive in Glasgow in peak condition. “After the 10,000m silver, we approached recovery like we always do with a focus on sleep, massage, diet and, very importantly, easy aerobic running,” he said.Simmons, however, believes there is still plenty of room for the 28-year-old Indian to improve.“While Commonwealth Games is one of the competitive arenas for long-distance running, the World Championships and Olympic Games are even tougher. Gulveer needs to continue to improve, especially his finishing kick,” he added.At the same time, the American coach believes his success can inspire a new generation of Indian distance runners, provided they receive the right support.“I think Gulveer’s success will change the belief system of Indian distance runners,” said Simmons, who also coached Avinash Sable to the men’s 3000m steeplechase silver at Birmingham Commonwealth Games.“Do I think other Indians can get to this level? Of course, as long as they have the support for training and competitions abroad and are willing to commit and sacrifice and not look for shortcuts.”
