In the second episode of our My Fire documentary series in the build-up to the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships, European Athletics goes behind-the-scenes with Ireland’s rising middle distance prospect Nick Griggs.
Speaking exclusively to European Athletics, Griggs opens up on his breakthrough victory in the 3000m at the Tallinn 2021 European Athletics U20 Championships following the death of his brother just a few weeks before and concluding his U20 career on a victorious note by leading Ireland to team gold at the Brussels 2023 SPAR European Cross Country Championships.
The documentary can be watched in full below
Winning the European U20 3000m title in Tallinn 2021 after the death of his brother…
“It was obviously so fresh two years ago but I’ve had a lot of time to reflect, mature and grow. I feel as though I’ve matured at a really young age. I do feel as though he [Josh] is still on my shoulder. Tallinn was very, very special because I dedicated that to him. You couldn’t have written the story any better.”
On his ultimate goal in athletics and being inspired by Jakob Ingebrigtsen…
"I always say my ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal. It’s obviously going to be an incredibly difficult task to achieve but I’ve got the support system around me. Jakob Ingebrigtsen said at the European Indoor Championships he wants to win as many medals as possible because they will always be with him."
"There are a lot of runners who inspire me but he’s one of the ones who gets me a lot of motivation and inspiration."
On concluding his U20 career with team gold for Ireland at the 2023 SPAR European Cross Country Championships…
"I was wrecked when I came over the line but I was buzzing that I won bronze. It was a hard-fought bronze. I was proud of my performance. I went over to my teammate Jonas and he said ‘man: we won!’ There were a few obscenities shouted but it was an incredible feeling."