Peter Bol conceded he was “a little bit nervous” as the Australian athletics star returned to the track for his first race since the lifting of a provisional drug ban.
The Olympian ran fourth in the meet at Meeting Stanislas Nancy, four months after the Australian 800-metre champion was cleared to resume racing after falsely testing positive to erythropoietin (EPO).
Gearing up for the World Championships in Budapest in August, Bol, who withdrew from four races across May and June due to an groin and stomach issues, said he “missed it” after a later than normal start to his campaign.
“Because I usually like to start my season in Australia and I know exactly where I‘m at when I get to Europe. It was just kind of getting chucked in the deep water,” Bold told Wide World of Sports.
“But I knew my shape, I trained well in Flagstaff and I‘m in good shape mentally, so I knew the physical part would take care of itself.
“I was a bit nervous warming up and then as soon as I got on the start line it just felt familiar and it felt like I was back home. I was ready to go.”
The 29-year-old Australian record holder ran a time almost two seconds slower than his personal best.
He conceded he wasn’t “race fit” but just needed to get through his first race.
“It was calm and peaceful to be back on the track. It was nice. I missed it,” Bol said.
“It‘ll be a lot faster and then when I’m race fit it’ll be fun again. You’re just running back-to-back and being relaxed, looking around … It’ll all come through.
“I‘ve obviously been battling some injuries this year, so there’s absolutely no excuses.
“I‘m just late in my preparation.
“But at the same time, the world championships aren‘t today, world championships aren’t next week; it’s in August.”
