Get ready for the greatest showdown in middle-distance history as Josh Kerr takes on the mighty mile world record! The 28-year-old Scottish sensation is gearing up to shatter Hicham El Guerrouj's 27-year-old mark of 3 minutes 43.13 seconds at the London Diamond League meeting on July 18.
Code-named 'Project 222', Kerr's quest for greatness has been a meticulous, all-out assault on the record books. His team has left no stone unturned in pursuit of that elusive 2-minute, 22-second margin – from bespoke spikes engineered to unlock his biomechanics to a specially designed speed suit and an altitude room installed in his bedroom to simulate the high-altitude conditions he'll face at the Games. Even his physiotherapist has relocated to Albuquerque to provide around-the-clock support! Kerr's parents have flown in from Scotland to be part of the team, while every detail – from ice baths timed to the exact duration of the race to precision-crafted training routines – has been meticulously planned and executed.
But don't just take our word for it; Kerr's preparations have been laid bare on YouTube, offering a rare glimpse into the world of elite athletics. The miler, known for his fearless attitude and willingness to speak his mind, has openly declared himself the greatest in history – no small claim when you consider he's previously traded rivalry blows with 1500m king Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport, Kerr exuded confidence: "Everything's going extremely smoothly... I'm not getting ahead of myself, but it's definitely on. It's just about handling the variables that are gonna come my way and getting a bit of luck on my side." But will it be enough? Only time will tell.
London holds special significance for Kerr – six British athletes have previously broken the record there, including the iconic Roger Bannister, who sparked a revolution with his historic first sub-four-minute mile in 1954. And what a fitting tribute to British athletics that would it be if Kerr were to join their ranks as the seventh Briton to conquer this legendary feat! With a personal best of 3 minutes 45.34 seconds (placing him sixth on the global all-time list), he's already on course for greatness – but one thing's certain: nothing less than history will do.