As the Olympics approached, Ann Arbor was a hive of training activity for a group of New Zealand athletes. They were drawn to the University of Michigan for the chance to work with retired men’s track and field coach Ron Warhurst.
Warhurst helped New Zealand runner Nick Willis win a silver medal in the 2008 Olympics. Willis' success encouraged countrymen Julian Matthews and Hamish Carson to travel from New Zealand to Michigan and work with Warhurst in the hopes of qualifying for their first Olympics.
Warhurst’s coaching paid off — Willis, Matthews and Carson all flew to Rio to compete in the men’s 1500 for their country.
It will be the first time New Zealand has had three runners in the men's 1500 competition.
Carson and Warhurst joined us to talk about their preparations for the Olympics.
GUESTS Hamish Carson is a middle distance runner from New Zealand who will compete in the 2016 Olympics. Ron Warhurst is the former coach of the University of Michigan’s men’s track and field team.
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