A measure of his ability is evidenced by the fact he holds national records at every distance between 3,000 and 10,000 metres. He claims he decided to run after seeing John Treacy win the World Cross Country Championships in Limerick in 1979. Earlier this year he broke Treacy's long-standing national 10,000 metres record in Stanford university, California. His time of 3.50 in the Oslo mile also this year proves he is great condition coming in to these Olympics. Carroll will have seen Sonia O' Sullivan finish second over 5,000 metres and will draw inspiration from her performance.
Success breeds success.
True he will line up against the best athletes in the world in an event dominated by Africans. Yet it is because of his grit and determination he has earned the label of 'White African'. He is close to joining a special fraternity of men who have broken the magical thirteen minute barrier for 5,000 metres. Today however he will try to qualify for the final as comfortably as possible. Carroll will need to be in the top six to automatically advance to the final.