Men’s 200m:
France’s Christophe Lemaitre stormed to an expected 200m victory; just two-days after being crowned 100m champion. The 20-year-old sprint protégé scorched to a 20.37clocking ahead of Britain’s Christian Malcolm (20.38) and his countryman Martial Mbandjock (20.42).
Overwhelmed and extremely satisfied with his weeks’ work, Lemaitre said afterwards:
“It was a very tight race. My start was not as good as I expected. I had a lack of confidence in the middle of the race. I tried to do my best to pick up well during the last metres. Now I am so glad to be the winner. This is such an important day for France athletics since we won the fourth gold medal. We have very good young athletes in France. I am enjoying this moment.”
Women’s pole vault:
In impeccable fashion, the long-established Svetlana Feofanova of Russia dominated the event with consummate ease. Passing until the height of 4.45, the 30-year-old took first-time clearances at 4m45 and 4m65 before clearing 4m70 on the second attempt and a superb 4m75 on her first.
In second and third place, respectively, Germany continued their fantastic championship with 4m65 clearances via Silke Speigelburg and Lisa Ryzih.
Women’s 400m: Tatyana Firova (RUS) 49.89 EL over Kseniya Ustalova (RUS) 49.82 PB and Antonina Krivoshapka (RUS) 50.10.
Firova – “It’s great that we all made it onto the podium. During the season, we have showed top results. I hope that we will be in this shape at London 2012.”
Men’s 110m hurdles: Britain’s Andy Turner produced a stunning last 30m to clinch the 110m hurdles crown in 13.28 ahead of France’s Garfield Darien (13.34) and Daniel Kiss (HUN) 13.36.
Jumping for joy, Turner breathlessly said: “I’m over the moon with this victory. I never achieved a medal at an international championships so this is just an amazing feeling. I felt good during the race and made less mistakes than the others, which was the key to win the gold medal.”
Women’s hammer: Germany’s Betty Heidler continued her nation’s fine form in the field with a 76m38 effort to push Tatyana Lysenko (RUS - 75m650 and Anita Wlodarczyk (POL - 73m56), respectively, into the silver and bronze medal positions.
Women’s steeplechase: Yuliya Zarudneva (RUS) was determined to not let the home favourite have her way with a solid front-running display to clock 9:17.57. Marta Dominguez; the Spanish golden girl registered 9:17.74 after putting up a strong fight to the end, coming home well clear of Lyubov Kharlamova (RUS) in 9:29.82.
The winner spoke about her pre-race tactics: “Mentally it was really tough. All of the stadium was for Dominguez but it made me angry. Before the championships I thought, it would have been great to defeat world champion Dominguez at home. So I decided to take the lead from the beginning and I didn’t feel Marta’s breathe because of the audience. They were screaming and supporting Dominguez, it actually kept me going faster and faster.”
Men’s 400m: The name Borlee was expected to land atop of the men’s 400m list but it was Kevin rather than Jonathan (who lead the continental rankings and set a national record in the semis) who took the glory today for Belgium in 45.08. Britain claimed the silver and bronze courtesy of Michael Bingham (45.23) and Martyn Rooney (45.23) in a race which provided much tension and nerves.
Women’s 400m hurdles: Natalya Antyukh RUS CR and EL 52.92, Vania Stambolova BUL NR 53.82, Perri Shakes-Drayton PB GBR 54.18.
Women’s 800m: Mariya Savinova of Russia was unstoppable in the women’s 800m; cruising to a scintillating 1:58.22 ahead Yvonne Hak (NED 1:58.85 PB) and Jenny Meadows (GBR - 1:59.39).
Men’s 1500m: The Spanish home crowd erupted in chaos in this final where the rulebook was ripped to shreds, with the three medallists turning out to be the surprises of the night. Evidently inspired by the home support, Arturo Casado sped down the home stretch to a 3:42.74 clocking with his compatriot Manuel Olmedo (3:43.54) in third. Carsten Schlangen (GER) spoiled the red and yellow show; as Spain’s third man Reyes Estevez was in fourth.
Men’s shot put: In a scintillatingly-close contest, Andrei Mikhnevich (BLR) stole the show by a mere centimeter with a 21m01 putt over Tomasz Majewski (POL); with Ralf Bartels (GER) 20m93 in third.
The winner said afterwards: “This feels gold great. After some difficult seasons, I’m back to where I want to be. Barcelona and the stadium, I love it.”
Men’s 800m: Poland achieved a shock 1-3 in the positions with Marcin Lewandowski stealing a last-gasp victory in 1:47.07 over Britain’s Michael Rimmer 1:47.17; the pre-race favourite. Adam Kszcot ensured a second Pole got onto the podium by following through just behind in 1:47.22.
An ecstatic winner revealed: “I am completely happy because I had a lot of pressure before the final as I was the favourite besides Rimmer. However, I managed to beat him. To gain the gold and bronze in the European championships is an unbelievable success for Polish athletics.”
Women’s 200m: Myriam Soumare could not contain her glee after storming to the women’s 200m title in a European-leading 22.32. The Frenchwoman; who was also third in the 100m, leapt and screamed for joy after coming home well clear of Yelizaveta Bryzhina (UKR 22.44 - PB) and Russia’s Aleksandra Fedoriva (22.44).
Men’s 400mH: Britain secured the gold and silver in emphatic style courtesy of David Greene (48.12 European lead) and Rhys Williams (48.96 PB); with Ukraine’s Stanislav Melnykov placing third with 49.09.
Greene; who dominated the proceedings from the outset and stretched clear in comfortable fashion down the home straight said: “I felt pressured being the favourite tonight but the pressure helped me to focus and go faster. My training went well in the build up to these championships. I did not have any particular objective today other than to win the gold medal and I am very pleased to have secured a personal best at the same time. I am now looking forwadr to running for Wales at the Commonwealth Games. “
Women’s 100mH: The most surprising winner of the night was Turkey’s Nevin Yanit in the women’s 100mH in a national record of 12.63. Both Yanit and runner-up Ireland’s Derval O’Rourke (12.65 N.R) screamed with glee and jumped for joy after the race, which also saw Germany continued their impressive championship – with Carolin Nytra (12.68) in third place.
Yanit explained afterwards her immense satisfaction and the eeriness of her winning time: “”This performance is amazing. I could not expect such a victory. I cannot believe what happened. My room number is 1263 and my phone number ends with these digits. Everything in my life here in Barcelona reminds me of this record (12.63). It was like an omen for victory. It is crazy. In 2006 in Gothenberg, I dreamt about the gold medal and tonight I am the European champion.”
Women’s triple jump: In a European-leading distance, Ukraine’s Olha Saladuha captured the women’s triple jump title with a fantastic leap of 14m81 in the fifth round. Italy’s Simona La Mantia took silver with 14m56 and Belgium’s Svetlana Bolshakova took the bronze with a jump of 14m55.
Women’s heptathlon: Britain’s Jessica Ennis added the European heptathlon crown to her World indoor and outdoor titles in a closely-fought contest with her arch rival, the Ukraine’s Nataliya Dobrinska. Ennis’ 6823 European-leading score and championship record was 45-points clear of the runner-up and Germany’s Jennifer Oeser (6683) took the bronze.
A delighted Ennis revealed: “I had a brilliant last year and these championships were amazing. Yes, I was 8 points short of my goal (British record) but I was so glad to win, especially with the 800m at the end and the way I won it, which was mainly to prove a point that I really am World no.1. My highlight disciplines were the javelin, long jump and the 800m. Now I will compete in some individual events and then finally go on holiday.”
Men’s pole vault: France’s Renauld Lavillenie stole the show with a first-time clearance at 5m80 then 5m85 to win the men’s pole vault by 5cm. Ukraine’s Maksym Mazurk (5m80) and Poland’s Przemyslaw Czerwinski (5m75) took the minor medals.
The winner said afterwards: “I expected this victory. I was testing myself from the beginning. I felt very good after 5m75. At this moment, I knew I’m on the right track to gold. I’m very happy. My goal is to remain this high level and go for the world title next year.”
Men’s 5000m: Britain’s Mo Farah secured a distance double by taking the men’s 10,000m this evening in impeccable style. In a time of 13:31.18, Farah beat Spain’s Jesus Espanya into second place (13:33.12) and Azerbajan’s Hayle Ibrahimov took the bronze in 13:34.15in a thrilling race to end day 5.
Men’s javelin: Norway’s Andrea Thorkilsden took the javelin crown with a throw of 88m37 in the second round; pushing Matthias De Zordo (GER – 87m81 PB) and Tero Pitkamaki (FIN – 86.67) into second and third, respectively.
Men’s marathon report
Switzerland's Viktor Rothlin became men's marathon European champion after winning the gold medal in Barcelona this morning.
The 35-year-old clocked 2:15.31 seconds to finish more than two minutes ahead of Spain's Juan Martinez (2:17.50) and Russia's Dimitri Safronov (2:18.16) in third.
The winner took control of the race from the 30km point after reaching the half-way point in 67:43, in a race suffering from 27-degree heat and 70% humidity.
A delighted Rothlin said afterwards: “This was my 19th marathon and it felt like the first. I hoped to compete well but was not sure ahead of the race. My careers might as well have been over after today. But the only thing I can say now is that I’m back!! It feels great. During the race, I was not sure if I can make it. I just kept going. I like to run in the heat. Compare to Osaka 2007, this was cold.”
Martinez led the home team to the gold medals, whilst Russia pipped Italy to team silver.
Men’s 4x100m: France scorched to European-leading 38.11 to take the men’s 4x100m relay final over close rivals Italy (38.17) and Germany (38.44).
In helping his nation to glory, Christophe Lemaitre became the first man ever to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in these championships.
After a collection of flawless baton change-overs and a storming anchor leg to out-dip Germany at the line, the squad said afterwards:
“We worked very well together. Of all the medals we have, this one feels the most important because it was won as a team effort and in the true sense of solidarity. We panicked a little bit in the last few metres when we saw the Italians right on our tail. They were running very fast but Martial (Mbanjock) did an excellent job for us and we so happy to win this medal as a very united team.”
Women’s 4x100m: The Ukrainian women’s 4x400m squad caused the first upset of the final evening when storming to gold in a world-leading 42.29. Pre-race favourites France grabbed the silver in 42.45, with Poland (42.68) coming home for third place.
The elated winners revealed: “We have been working together for many years and training hard on passing the baton. Barcelona was the perfect stage to prove how good we really are. Clocking the world lead is unbelievable. We expected the Russian team to climb the podium.”
Men’s 3,000m steeplechase: France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad and Bouabdellah Tahri stormed way ahead of the field from the outset; establishing a 50m lead by the second lap, which they maintained until the end to collect the gold and silver, respectively.
In times of 8:07.87 (championship record) and 8:09.28, the duo gave a masterful front-running display of team-work to continue their nation’s impressive haul in these championships. Spain’s Joes Luis Blanco gave the home crowd plenty of excitement; crossing the line in 8:19.15 to snatch third.
Women’s 5,000m: From the gun, a group of six sped off to quickly establish a 80m lead, which included 10,000m winner Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR) and Portugal’s warm favourite Jessica Augusto.
Four of the group stayed bunched until the final 200m, where Alemitu Bekele (TUR) strode to a superb 14:52.20 championship record ahead of her team-mate Abeylegesse (14:54.44) and Portugal’s Sara Moriera (14:54.71 PB).
Men’s discus: Just 20cm separated gold and silver medal winners Poland’s Piotr Malachowski and Germany’s Robert Harting. The former threw a championship record-breaking 68m87 whilst Harting registered 68m47. Hungary’s Robert captured the bronze with a 66m43 throw.
The winner declared shortly afterwards: “Finally I won the gold at a big championships. I’m satisfied after having lost to Harting last year in Germany. It was not my best performance but sufficient for tonight.”
Women’s 1500m: In a thrilling race when it could have easily have been anyone’s race in the final 100m, Nuria Fernandez gave the home crowd plenty to roar for as she registered a fine personal-best-beating 4:00.20 en route to victory.
Behind, was France’s Hind Dehiba (4:01.17) and a second Spaniard, Natalia Rodriguez; clocking 4:01.30 for third.
An elated winner exclaimed: “I am crying as I cannot believe what I have done. I have been fighting for this for fifteen years and finally, at 33, got it. I dedicate this title to everyone that has been supporting me during my long career and when things didn’t go well. Winning at home is like a dream come true.”
Women’s high jump: Breaking the championship best and taking the European lead, pre-event favourite Blanca Vlasic of Croatia leapt to a magnificent 2m03 on her second attempt to push Sweden’s surprise package; Emma Green (2m01 PB) into the runner-up position.
Germany’s Ariane Friedrich failed to grab the gold she so wished but captured the bronze medal, nevertheless, in 2m01.
Vlasic remarked: “This is not an easy season for me. I’m not myself this year. I had zero confidence tonight and was struggling hard to achieve a good jump. Luckily, it was enough to win.”
Men’s long jump: Germany’s Christian Reif was the shock of the night; taking the men’s long jump crown in impeccable fashion. Annihilating his personal best, the German leapt to a world-leading and championship record-breaking 8m47 in the third round to amaze the crowd and his rivals in the process.
France’s Kafetien Gomis (8m24) and Great Britain’s Chris Tomlinson (8m23) took the minor medals.
Women’s 4x400m: In their usual fashion, Russia stormed to a world-leading 3:21.26 from Germany (3:24.07) and Great Britain (3:24.32).
Men’s 4x400m: Again, Russia dominated the 4x400m proceedings with a superb victory in 3:01.14 over Great Britain (3:02.25) and surprise bronze-medallists Belgium (3:02.60).
Monday, 9 August 2010
Euro Athletics - Barcelona (July work continued)
Farah cruises to First-ever British men’s 10,000m title -
Britain's Mo Farah took revenge for losing the 2006 title by a fraction of a second with a resounding victory here in Barcelona last night.
Closing with a sizzling 57 second final lap, 'Fly Mo', as he is affectionately known, took an expected victory in the tactical 25-lap race; reaching the line in 28:24.99, and striding away in comfortable fashion.
“The first (outdoor) European gold feels great,” said the 27-year-old, who is also captured the 2009 European indoor 3000m and 2006 cross-cuontry title.
“It was many years of hard work to achieve this goal. Each year I feel I have been thinking about it, so to get the gold - I just can't believe it. I have made a lot of sacrifices and it means a lot to me to win the gold," he said.
On the expected but still mind-blowing British 1-2 with his slightly older team-mate, Chris Thompson, Farah continued:
"I'm really happy - I'm chuffed with the race and I'm really happy for Chris as well because we go way back. I hope we have made everyone back home proud."
Farah's was the slowest winning time at these championships since East German Manfred Kuschmann's 28:25.8 victory in 1974 but the former Somalian will need fresh legs in the 5000m on Saturday, where he'll face a significantly stronger challenge.
“I need to recover fast,” explained Farah, "but I’ve got it going on.”
With Farah’s win secure, the thrilling tussling for the remaining medals began.
Thompson, who improved to 27:29.61 this year, began to make up ground on the fading Lamdassem (of France); reaching the line in virtual inseparable fashion. Both were credited with a 28:27.33, with the photo reading giving Thompson the silver.
“This is the first season in a long time that I have competed without injuries,” Thompson revealed. “And for me, being second behind Mo Farah, is like a gold medal. He’s an incredible athlete and no one could beat him tonight."
After years of being plagued with injury, the USA-based runner said of his renaissance:
"That took all my energy to get to the second place it really did. I'm reading Steve Redgrave's book at the moment for inspiration and he talked about a race in 1987 when he thought he was gone at halfway but just dug in and won.
"I was just thinking - four laps, three laps, two laps. I told myself to be positive about everything I was doing and just wanted to keep pushing really hard."
Billed as a showdown between Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre and Briton Dwain Chambers, the men’s 100m final was last night decided in comfortable fashion.
20-year-old Lemaitre – fresh from his scintillating 9.98 arlier in the month – sped to a sure-fire victory over a resurgent Mark Lewis-Francis; another Briton who was not expected to feature highly.
Indeed in a race full of surprises which held the crowd on tenterhooks, France’s Martial Mbandjock snatched the bronze; leaving Chambers reeling in a disappointing fifth.
Blasting through the pack from the 80m point and adding to his world and European junior titles, Lemaitre revealed his opinion on his 10.11 clocking; the slowest in this championship in 16-years:
“After a brilliant year, my objective was gold. I didn’t have a good start but picked up very well on my speed. It was a brilliant final and I’m very, very happy tonight,” he said.
Behind him, a blanket finish for the remaining medals ensured a nail-biting wait for the outcome to be delivered. Remarkably, 2nd to 5th place were all credited with a 10.18!
Yet for Lewis Francis, whose career has been blighted by long term injury issues since taking Olympic 4x100m relay gold in 2004, it was a moment of pure joy, having been added to the individual 100m slot following a clear display of form at the Aviva preparation camp in Monte Gordo, and justifying that call by literally taking home the silverware.
“I’m European Silver medallist – wow!” was his initial reaction.“I got to the final on a lucky star and I got to these championships on a lucky star. 2010 is my year I am the happiest man in the world I cannot complain – I said I’d take fourth place before the final and I ended up with second.
“We stuck to the plan in training for the individual and I was able to run it. I knew it was going to be tough to go out there and do anything crazy. I just wanted to go out there and enjoy the moment.”
Women’s javelin: Thursday evening provided a thrilling session of athletics, mostly courtesy of a trio of inspired Germans. In the women’s javelin throw, the event favourite Barbara Spotakova (CZE – 65m36) was upstaged by two resurgent throwers sporting the black, red and yellow colours in scintillating fashion.
Firstly, Christina Obergfoll (65m58)spoiled the Czech party, before her compatriot Linda Stahl produced a superb personal-best performance with a giant throw of 66m81 in the fifth round to claim the continental title in impeccable and shocking style.
An elated Stahl revealed her feelings on her surprise victory: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. Right after my throw, I didn’t even realise how far I threw the javelin. I didn’t expect it at all. It was not easy to throw due to the wind, so I focused on throwing not too high. I’m happy to share the podium with Christina.”
Obergfoll graciously returned the favour with praise for the winner: “I have suffered from muscle cramp during this competition. Then Linda achieved a great throw in the fifth round. It is a shame for me to get the silver medal. However, I am happy to get any medal.”
Women’s 100m: The happiest athlete award of the night must go to Germany’s Verena Sailer; the popular winner of the women’s 100m final.
Blasting to a 11.10 personal best, the shocked athlete capitalised on having the fastest reaction in the field to scorch to victory ahead of two French sprinters; Veronique Mang and Myriam Soumare.
Eyes and mouth wide open is disbelief and elation, Sailer commented shortly afterwards: “Wow, I’m the European champion. It feels great. I can’t believe it, the race was amazing.”
Dancing around in celebration, the silver and bronze medallists also spoke of their shock after additionally registering lifetime best marks:
“I had a good feeling during the run. When you are here in Barcelona in the European championships, you only want to give your best, I did. The run was fantastic. I have really enjoyed this particular moment of my career. I love being here. It is like a dream,” explained Mang.
Soumare continued: “After a difficult beginning to this season, I put everything in this race. I cannot believe what I achieved, I am so happy to win the bronze medal. I have put all my strength in this run. It was fantastic when I saw my name on the screen. It is just happiness.”
In another thrilling night of action, the Olympic stadium was kept on their toes with baited breathe once again as the three men’s finals of Thursday produced outstanding performances.
Men’s high jump: Aleksander Shustov lead a Russain one-two with his 2m33 clearance at his first attempt ahead of 24-year-old Ivan Ukhov (2m31) and Britain’s Martyn Bernard in third place (with a 2m29 season’s best).
Shustov was delighted with his winning display in less than ideal conditions: “From the beginning, it was not going well because of the rain bit then I found the courage to jump higher. I talked to my coach and gave my best. Sincerely, when Ukhov cleared 2m31, I was thinking to skip my third attempt, but the coach insisted not to do it. So it was the right decision because I jumped 2m33 first and finally won the gold.”
Men’s decathlon: Exciting would not sum up this contest enough, as Frenchman Romain Barras narrowly captured the decathlon crown by 17 points last night. With a consistent series a very impressive displays in most events, Barras registered 8453-points ahead of the Netherland’s Eelco Sintnicolaas (8436) and Andrei Krauchanka (BEL – 8370).
After celebrating with his twenty other finishers, Barras revealed: “The competition was very tight. At the beginning of the last race, only five points were between me and the Dutch, Sintnicolaas. The competition was open and everything was possible. I had to win the 1500m to be sure to win the decathlon.”
The silver medallist was nevertheless a happy man, also: “It was an outstanding competition. All the while, I was fighting with my main rival, Romain. I thought I could catch him during the 1500m discipline but at the 1,000m point of the race, he accelerated and it was then that I realised it was impossible. My objective was to improve on my personal best and I achieved that.”
Men’s triple jump: The reigning world indoor champion, Phillips Idowu (GBR) posted his most consistently high display of jumps for years when it mattered most yesterday. With a best of 17m81 from the fourth round, Idowu’s new personal best was a clear 30cm ahead of runner-up Marian Oprea (ROU) and his main rival for the gold; an under-performing Teddy Tamgho (FRA – 17m45).
Idowu explained afterwards: “It feels fantastic to have jumped my personal best. My build up to the championships was not great but I am very happy to have been able to jump consistently today. I am a good athlete with the world and European championship titles now under my belt. I am just missing one title – the Olympics.”
Britain's Mo Farah took revenge for losing the 2006 title by a fraction of a second with a resounding victory here in Barcelona last night.
Closing with a sizzling 57 second final lap, 'Fly Mo', as he is affectionately known, took an expected victory in the tactical 25-lap race; reaching the line in 28:24.99, and striding away in comfortable fashion.
“The first (outdoor) European gold feels great,” said the 27-year-old, who is also captured the 2009 European indoor 3000m and 2006 cross-cuontry title.
“It was many years of hard work to achieve this goal. Each year I feel I have been thinking about it, so to get the gold - I just can't believe it. I have made a lot of sacrifices and it means a lot to me to win the gold," he said.
On the expected but still mind-blowing British 1-2 with his slightly older team-mate, Chris Thompson, Farah continued:
"I'm really happy - I'm chuffed with the race and I'm really happy for Chris as well because we go way back. I hope we have made everyone back home proud."
Farah's was the slowest winning time at these championships since East German Manfred Kuschmann's 28:25.8 victory in 1974 but the former Somalian will need fresh legs in the 5000m on Saturday, where he'll face a significantly stronger challenge.
“I need to recover fast,” explained Farah, "but I’ve got it going on.”
With Farah’s win secure, the thrilling tussling for the remaining medals began.
Thompson, who improved to 27:29.61 this year, began to make up ground on the fading Lamdassem (of France); reaching the line in virtual inseparable fashion. Both were credited with a 28:27.33, with the photo reading giving Thompson the silver.
“This is the first season in a long time that I have competed without injuries,” Thompson revealed. “And for me, being second behind Mo Farah, is like a gold medal. He’s an incredible athlete and no one could beat him tonight."
After years of being plagued with injury, the USA-based runner said of his renaissance:
"That took all my energy to get to the second place it really did. I'm reading Steve Redgrave's book at the moment for inspiration and he talked about a race in 1987 when he thought he was gone at halfway but just dug in and won.
"I was just thinking - four laps, three laps, two laps. I told myself to be positive about everything I was doing and just wanted to keep pushing really hard."
Billed as a showdown between Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre and Briton Dwain Chambers, the men’s 100m final was last night decided in comfortable fashion.
20-year-old Lemaitre – fresh from his scintillating 9.98 arlier in the month – sped to a sure-fire victory over a resurgent Mark Lewis-Francis; another Briton who was not expected to feature highly.
Indeed in a race full of surprises which held the crowd on tenterhooks, France’s Martial Mbandjock snatched the bronze; leaving Chambers reeling in a disappointing fifth.
Blasting through the pack from the 80m point and adding to his world and European junior titles, Lemaitre revealed his opinion on his 10.11 clocking; the slowest in this championship in 16-years:
“After a brilliant year, my objective was gold. I didn’t have a good start but picked up very well on my speed. It was a brilliant final and I’m very, very happy tonight,” he said.
Behind him, a blanket finish for the remaining medals ensured a nail-biting wait for the outcome to be delivered. Remarkably, 2nd to 5th place were all credited with a 10.18!
Yet for Lewis Francis, whose career has been blighted by long term injury issues since taking Olympic 4x100m relay gold in 2004, it was a moment of pure joy, having been added to the individual 100m slot following a clear display of form at the Aviva preparation camp in Monte Gordo, and justifying that call by literally taking home the silverware.
“I’m European Silver medallist – wow!” was his initial reaction.“I got to the final on a lucky star and I got to these championships on a lucky star. 2010 is my year I am the happiest man in the world I cannot complain – I said I’d take fourth place before the final and I ended up with second.
“We stuck to the plan in training for the individual and I was able to run it. I knew it was going to be tough to go out there and do anything crazy. I just wanted to go out there and enjoy the moment.”
Women’s javelin: Thursday evening provided a thrilling session of athletics, mostly courtesy of a trio of inspired Germans. In the women’s javelin throw, the event favourite Barbara Spotakova (CZE – 65m36) was upstaged by two resurgent throwers sporting the black, red and yellow colours in scintillating fashion.
Firstly, Christina Obergfoll (65m58)spoiled the Czech party, before her compatriot Linda Stahl produced a superb personal-best performance with a giant throw of 66m81 in the fifth round to claim the continental title in impeccable and shocking style.
An elated Stahl revealed her feelings on her surprise victory: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. Right after my throw, I didn’t even realise how far I threw the javelin. I didn’t expect it at all. It was not easy to throw due to the wind, so I focused on throwing not too high. I’m happy to share the podium with Christina.”
Obergfoll graciously returned the favour with praise for the winner: “I have suffered from muscle cramp during this competition. Then Linda achieved a great throw in the fifth round. It is a shame for me to get the silver medal. However, I am happy to get any medal.”
Women’s 100m: The happiest athlete award of the night must go to Germany’s Verena Sailer; the popular winner of the women’s 100m final.
Blasting to a 11.10 personal best, the shocked athlete capitalised on having the fastest reaction in the field to scorch to victory ahead of two French sprinters; Veronique Mang and Myriam Soumare.
Eyes and mouth wide open is disbelief and elation, Sailer commented shortly afterwards: “Wow, I’m the European champion. It feels great. I can’t believe it, the race was amazing.”
Dancing around in celebration, the silver and bronze medallists also spoke of their shock after additionally registering lifetime best marks:
“I had a good feeling during the run. When you are here in Barcelona in the European championships, you only want to give your best, I did. The run was fantastic. I have really enjoyed this particular moment of my career. I love being here. It is like a dream,” explained Mang.
Soumare continued: “After a difficult beginning to this season, I put everything in this race. I cannot believe what I achieved, I am so happy to win the bronze medal. I have put all my strength in this run. It was fantastic when I saw my name on the screen. It is just happiness.”
In another thrilling night of action, the Olympic stadium was kept on their toes with baited breathe once again as the three men’s finals of Thursday produced outstanding performances.
Men’s high jump: Aleksander Shustov lead a Russain one-two with his 2m33 clearance at his first attempt ahead of 24-year-old Ivan Ukhov (2m31) and Britain’s Martyn Bernard in third place (with a 2m29 season’s best).
Shustov was delighted with his winning display in less than ideal conditions: “From the beginning, it was not going well because of the rain bit then I found the courage to jump higher. I talked to my coach and gave my best. Sincerely, when Ukhov cleared 2m31, I was thinking to skip my third attempt, but the coach insisted not to do it. So it was the right decision because I jumped 2m33 first and finally won the gold.”
Men’s decathlon: Exciting would not sum up this contest enough, as Frenchman Romain Barras narrowly captured the decathlon crown by 17 points last night. With a consistent series a very impressive displays in most events, Barras registered 8453-points ahead of the Netherland’s Eelco Sintnicolaas (8436) and Andrei Krauchanka (BEL – 8370).
After celebrating with his twenty other finishers, Barras revealed: “The competition was very tight. At the beginning of the last race, only five points were between me and the Dutch, Sintnicolaas. The competition was open and everything was possible. I had to win the 1500m to be sure to win the decathlon.”
The silver medallist was nevertheless a happy man, also: “It was an outstanding competition. All the while, I was fighting with my main rival, Romain. I thought I could catch him during the 1500m discipline but at the 1,000m point of the race, he accelerated and it was then that I realised it was impossible. My objective was to improve on my personal best and I achieved that.”
Men’s triple jump: The reigning world indoor champion, Phillips Idowu (GBR) posted his most consistently high display of jumps for years when it mattered most yesterday. With a best of 17m81 from the fourth round, Idowu’s new personal best was a clear 30cm ahead of runner-up Marian Oprea (ROU) and his main rival for the gold; an under-performing Teddy Tamgho (FRA – 17m45).
Idowu explained afterwards: “It feels fantastic to have jumped my personal best. My build up to the championships was not great but I am very happy to have been able to jump consistently today. I am a good athlete with the world and European championship titles now under my belt. I am just missing one title – the Olympics.”
Euro Athletics - Barcelona (July work)
Van Commenee’s Team GB are “ready to go”
On the eve of the European championships, Charles Van Commenee; the Head coach of Team GB spoke about his squad’s chances.
Positioned in the centre of the top table at this afternoon’s press conference organised by UK Athletics at the team hotel, the Dutchman was flanked by three athletes with genuine gold medal chances here in Barcelona, yet it was the 52-year-old that stole the show instead of rushing off for a siesta.
In determined and confident mood, Van Commenee (joined by 100m man Dwain Chambers, 400m runner Martyn Rooney and 400m hurdler Dai Greene) joked with the international press about how he is accustomed to relenting to the so-called ‘official team medal target’ which the media apparently conjure up for themselves, yet the bespectacled ‘athletics magician’ gave an inclination as to how he actually feels his team will perform this week:
“We have a strong team here and we’ve had a terrific last few weeks out in at the preparation camps in Monte Gordo, Portugal and for the distance runners, out in Font Romeo, in the Pyrenees,” Van Commenee explained.
“It all went very well and now everyone’s in shape and ready to go. I’ve no complaints – we’ve selected the best squad through a tough selection criteria (the same as that for the World championships). It may be harsh qualifying but it fits in with our (UK Athletics) policy to prepare for London 2012; the athletes will need to live up to expectations and deal with immense pressure so we are displaying the same approach now. UK Sport has set us a target of 10-15 medals in this championship and I am very confident that we can achieve that.”
Undeniably, the GB squad will have many tricks up their sleeve; leaving Van Commenee and Co to gatecrash the Spanish party with a sparkling fiesta of their own.
Dwain's "doing it for his kids"
Dwain Chambers may be the hot favourite for 100m gold here in Barcelona, but the 32-year-old; although in positive mood, is having to deal with more expectation than most; from his three young children back home in the UK.
The World indoor 60m champion explained at this afternoon’s Team GB press conference from the team hotel that not a day goes by without him regularly contacting his brood during his stay in the Spanish city:
“I miss my family, of course” explained the father of three, “but we have Skype in the team hotel so I can talk to them every day. I’m sure that they want daddy to bring a gold medal home for them so I really want to do that.”
Inspired by a motivational poem from the 1992 Olympic 100m champion, Linford Christie in the team hotel last week, Chambers revealed the impact his countryman had on his mental preparations for the coming week:
“Linford’s win was 18-years ago and it’s inspiring to know we’re going back to the same stadium where he took the gold and it is a great chance to or me to recreate history. I hope I do him proud and this may be my last European championships.
I’m optimistic – I’ve got strong competition coming from (France’s) Christophe Lemaitre and a strong field but I just need to try my best and keep a cool head. It’s my ambition to win gold and to do that, I need to use my experience. I think he (Lemaitre) will be full of confidence coming into these championships but I want to win.”
Chambers was pushed to a sub-10 clocking in order to win the European Cup (in 9.99) last month over Lemaitre and ran well on the Barcelona track a fortnight ago and admitted he may need to run sub-10 to win continental gold.
Despite his years of championship experience, the British sprinter also confessed that nerves still bother him come competition time but with extra motivation back home, Chambers will surely not let his children down.
Barcelona track passes Rooney’s test
Earlier this morning, British 400m man Martyn Rooney took a trip to the track where he will attempt to win European gold later this week.
Ranked third on the continental rankings with a 44.99 clocking, Rooney spoke out about his liking for the surface at the Team GB press conference this afternoon and is evidently bubbling over with excitement:
“I’m in good shape so I’m excited and I’ve got a great feeling from seeing the track this morning. It’s a great, impressive stadium – just like the one in Beijing (where Rooney placed 6th in the 2008 Olympic final).”
The British one-lapper remains cautiously optimistic, though; giving credit to his fiercest rivals this week:
”It’s a very competitive event. (Jonathon) Borlee’s very talented, as is (David) Gillick and (Michael) Bingham – we’re all there to win so it will be fun. My last race (at the Gateshead IAAF Diamond League) was a kick up the arse and I made mistakes but I’ve had three weeks to work on that and I’m feeling in good shape and I’m in a good frame of mind now!"
Opening Ceremony report
At 9:30pm on Monday evening in front of Barcelona’s Font Magic on Avenida Maria Cristina, the B10 opening ceremony took place.
Combining elements of local identity, arts and culture, the free of charge event lasted 75-minutes and attracted thousands of the local public and athletics enthusiasts.
Although two large television screens were positioned at each side of the stage, due to the sheer mass of the crowd, your editor was pretty far back and had to take photos on tip-toe! So many of the public and B10 ticket holders were there in fact, that dozens of them resorted to climbing the podiums and architecture to get a glimpse of the action.
The ceremony began with the same classical music which continued throughout the show (it would have been nice if the music was changed throughout) and a countdown clock to introduce the start of the championships.
To the left of the area, 6 aerial acrobats fell spectacularly from a building before launching into dance moves to the music. The stage and the fountain water, too, adapted their colours and shape to the music while dancers took to the stage with the rim of a replica Olympic stadium roof gradually fell in the backdrop.
It was truly a great spectacle to see so many of the public and athletics fans; although staging the ceremony in public meant that a lot could not see all of the event and particularly, many of the elite athletes stayed away for security reasons - it was great promotion for the championships and for our sport.
It was a great idea that the opening ceremony was taken to the people but athletics fans would have been disappointed with their view unless they hot the early; especially as they will be used to having a seat in the stadium like they will have for the closing ceremony on Sunday evening – your editor’s feet hurt a lot last night!
The music was beautiful but it didn’t hold the attention of many of the crowd, as the majority left half-way through. In alphabetical order, the nations with their flag bearers entered the stage to huge cheers – especially the Spanish squad and the Italians but some nations like team GB had no representatives on the night.
The finale included the Catalonian and Spanish national anthems and a few dignitaries on stage to give a speech – most left then, unfortunately but a fitting end was provided with the European Athletics anthem being played and the EA flag falling down over the fountain and stage before the B10 mascot Barni was introduced ahead of a huge firework display to upbeat music.
On the eve of the European championships, Charles Van Commenee; the Head coach of Team GB spoke about his squad’s chances.
Positioned in the centre of the top table at this afternoon’s press conference organised by UK Athletics at the team hotel, the Dutchman was flanked by three athletes with genuine gold medal chances here in Barcelona, yet it was the 52-year-old that stole the show instead of rushing off for a siesta.
In determined and confident mood, Van Commenee (joined by 100m man Dwain Chambers, 400m runner Martyn Rooney and 400m hurdler Dai Greene) joked with the international press about how he is accustomed to relenting to the so-called ‘official team medal target’ which the media apparently conjure up for themselves, yet the bespectacled ‘athletics magician’ gave an inclination as to how he actually feels his team will perform this week:
“We have a strong team here and we’ve had a terrific last few weeks out in at the preparation camps in Monte Gordo, Portugal and for the distance runners, out in Font Romeo, in the Pyrenees,” Van Commenee explained.
“It all went very well and now everyone’s in shape and ready to go. I’ve no complaints – we’ve selected the best squad through a tough selection criteria (the same as that for the World championships). It may be harsh qualifying but it fits in with our (UK Athletics) policy to prepare for London 2012; the athletes will need to live up to expectations and deal with immense pressure so we are displaying the same approach now. UK Sport has set us a target of 10-15 medals in this championship and I am very confident that we can achieve that.”
Undeniably, the GB squad will have many tricks up their sleeve; leaving Van Commenee and Co to gatecrash the Spanish party with a sparkling fiesta of their own.
Dwain's "doing it for his kids"
Dwain Chambers may be the hot favourite for 100m gold here in Barcelona, but the 32-year-old; although in positive mood, is having to deal with more expectation than most; from his three young children back home in the UK.
The World indoor 60m champion explained at this afternoon’s Team GB press conference from the team hotel that not a day goes by without him regularly contacting his brood during his stay in the Spanish city:
“I miss my family, of course” explained the father of three, “but we have Skype in the team hotel so I can talk to them every day. I’m sure that they want daddy to bring a gold medal home for them so I really want to do that.”
Inspired by a motivational poem from the 1992 Olympic 100m champion, Linford Christie in the team hotel last week, Chambers revealed the impact his countryman had on his mental preparations for the coming week:
“Linford’s win was 18-years ago and it’s inspiring to know we’re going back to the same stadium where he took the gold and it is a great chance to or me to recreate history. I hope I do him proud and this may be my last European championships.
I’m optimistic – I’ve got strong competition coming from (France’s) Christophe Lemaitre and a strong field but I just need to try my best and keep a cool head. It’s my ambition to win gold and to do that, I need to use my experience. I think he (Lemaitre) will be full of confidence coming into these championships but I want to win.”
Chambers was pushed to a sub-10 clocking in order to win the European Cup (in 9.99) last month over Lemaitre and ran well on the Barcelona track a fortnight ago and admitted he may need to run sub-10 to win continental gold.
Despite his years of championship experience, the British sprinter also confessed that nerves still bother him come competition time but with extra motivation back home, Chambers will surely not let his children down.
Barcelona track passes Rooney’s test
Earlier this morning, British 400m man Martyn Rooney took a trip to the track where he will attempt to win European gold later this week.
Ranked third on the continental rankings with a 44.99 clocking, Rooney spoke out about his liking for the surface at the Team GB press conference this afternoon and is evidently bubbling over with excitement:
“I’m in good shape so I’m excited and I’ve got a great feeling from seeing the track this morning. It’s a great, impressive stadium – just like the one in Beijing (where Rooney placed 6th in the 2008 Olympic final).”
The British one-lapper remains cautiously optimistic, though; giving credit to his fiercest rivals this week:
”It’s a very competitive event. (Jonathon) Borlee’s very talented, as is (David) Gillick and (Michael) Bingham – we’re all there to win so it will be fun. My last race (at the Gateshead IAAF Diamond League) was a kick up the arse and I made mistakes but I’ve had three weeks to work on that and I’m feeling in good shape and I’m in a good frame of mind now!"
Opening Ceremony report
At 9:30pm on Monday evening in front of Barcelona’s Font Magic on Avenida Maria Cristina, the B10 opening ceremony took place.
Combining elements of local identity, arts and culture, the free of charge event lasted 75-minutes and attracted thousands of the local public and athletics enthusiasts.
Although two large television screens were positioned at each side of the stage, due to the sheer mass of the crowd, your editor was pretty far back and had to take photos on tip-toe! So many of the public and B10 ticket holders were there in fact, that dozens of them resorted to climbing the podiums and architecture to get a glimpse of the action.
The ceremony began with the same classical music which continued throughout the show (it would have been nice if the music was changed throughout) and a countdown clock to introduce the start of the championships.
To the left of the area, 6 aerial acrobats fell spectacularly from a building before launching into dance moves to the music. The stage and the fountain water, too, adapted their colours and shape to the music while dancers took to the stage with the rim of a replica Olympic stadium roof gradually fell in the backdrop.
It was truly a great spectacle to see so many of the public and athletics fans; although staging the ceremony in public meant that a lot could not see all of the event and particularly, many of the elite athletes stayed away for security reasons - it was great promotion for the championships and for our sport.
It was a great idea that the opening ceremony was taken to the people but athletics fans would have been disappointed with their view unless they hot the early; especially as they will be used to having a seat in the stadium like they will have for the closing ceremony on Sunday evening – your editor’s feet hurt a lot last night!
The music was beautiful but it didn’t hold the attention of many of the crowd, as the majority left half-way through. In alphabetical order, the nations with their flag bearers entered the stage to huge cheers – especially the Spanish squad and the Italians but some nations like team GB had no representatives on the night.
The finale included the Catalonian and Spanish national anthems and a few dignitaries on stage to give a speech – most left then, unfortunately but a fitting end was provided with the European Athletics anthem being played and the EA flag falling down over the fountain and stage before the B10 mascot Barni was introduced ahead of a huge firework display to upbeat music.
Monday, 19 July 2010
Turn-er of Speed
WRITTEN FOR SKYSPORTS
Currently lying second on the 100m continental rankings list, Laura Turner finds herself in an unusual position heading into next weeks’ European Championships; but as Nicola Bamford found, the British sprinter is ready to step up onto the medal podium.
Coached by Linford Christie, Turner will be inspired as she steps out onto the very same Barcelona track in which her mentor strode to Olympic 100m glory on when she was just ten years old in 1992.
A transformed athlete since going under his tutelage last year, the 27-year-old will be aiming to take her first European championship medal over the same distance; a title Christie took three times during his career.
Fresh from a blistering 11.11 100m personal best in Switzerland last month, which took the Harrow-born athlete to third on the British all-time lists, Turner could soon to be her way to emulating such a sizeable record of achievements:
“The season started off very slowly for me but the plan was to race myself fit and the plan seems to be paying off!” an elated Turner revealed.
“I am happy with where it is going. I am feeling very happy with everything at the moment which reflects in my performances. My winter was fantastic up until Christmas when I got injured. I was unable to run for ten weeks, hence the ‘race myself fit’ strategy. Since I returned from injury it has gone really well and I am now starting to see the benefits of all this hard work.”
Belief
Hard work indeed; as Christie’s camp is notorious for undertaking a rigorous approach to training at their Brunel University base. Joined by Athens 4x100m relay gold-medallist Mark Lewis-Francis and a handful of British international sprinters, Turner’s tough regime has witnessed a marked improvement over the past season.
“It’s great (with Linford),” Turner explained. “He’s a really good person to be around. His energy rubs off on the group and as a result we all train really hard. We are always the loudest group at the track because we have a lot of laughs at training too.
My training week is pretty tough, I was quite daunted by it when I first joined the group, but I was soon able to handle it. We like at Brunel as it is quiet and I studied at Brunel University for six years (doing an MSc in physiology) so I feel at home there.”
The positive mental attitude instilled by her coach has helped Turner blossom this year to great effect. Victories at the BUPA Great Manchester City Games and in the ‘B’ race at the European Team Championships in Norway (to place third-fastest overall in the competition), were followed by a scintillating 100m and 200m double at the UK Championships and European trials earlier this month.
This far, it has been a season only blighted by her below-par eighth in her heat in the Gateshead leg of the IAAF Diamond League a fortnight ago but Turner is still in confident mood ahead of her Spanish test:
“My aim is always to win!” Turner exclaimed. “But with regards to the Championships, Linford tells me to make the final and anything can happen. But I am mega competitive so winning is always my main aim. I never put limits on my performances. I believe in Linford’s ability to get me ready and my ability to perform.”
Fierce
Turner is indeed a new athlete; one with supreme confidence in her own ability and an athlete who realistically and patiently believes they will reach the top of their sport in time. It was not so long ago, for example, that she exited the heats of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Turner has spent the past five years on the cusp of making a global impression; having to make do with reaching the semi-final stage at best on many occasions. It was in 2006 that she first reached near-medal status with fourth place in both the World University Games and the Commonwealth Games but since, her major championship participation has mainly been reduced to making finals as part of the relay squads; the latest being sixth place in the 2009 World championships in Berlin.
She will again join her team-mates in an attempt to better their silver medal from the previous European championships in Gothenburg four years ago but this time, Turner’s priority will be making – and seriously impacting – on the 100m individual final.
“2009 was pretty disappointing really,” Turner explained. “I was injured for the majority of the winter so missed a lot of training. It was my first winter with Linford and I wasn’t able to do anything he had planned for me. It was very frustrating but I always say that it makes me stronger, and I think it has.”
Turner not only looks strong but fierce and hungry, too and it is clear that she is bubbling over with excitement at the prospect of potentially bringing home two medals this month:
“I just to be the best I can be. I never put limits on my ambition. I am excited for the women’s sprint relay this year. We have some promising juniors which is always exciting. Those of us at the top are striving to be the best we can be, that is all anyone can ask of us.”
With a new coaching relationship that is evidently working wonders, coupled with her forthcoming nuptials in the spring, it is little wonder that Turner is on cloud nine - and in a fortnight’s time, it may well have a sparkling gold trim to it, to boot.
Currently lying second on the 100m continental rankings list, Laura Turner finds herself in an unusual position heading into next weeks’ European Championships; but as Nicola Bamford found, the British sprinter is ready to step up onto the medal podium.
Coached by Linford Christie, Turner will be inspired as she steps out onto the very same Barcelona track in which her mentor strode to Olympic 100m glory on when she was just ten years old in 1992.
A transformed athlete since going under his tutelage last year, the 27-year-old will be aiming to take her first European championship medal over the same distance; a title Christie took three times during his career.
Fresh from a blistering 11.11 100m personal best in Switzerland last month, which took the Harrow-born athlete to third on the British all-time lists, Turner could soon to be her way to emulating such a sizeable record of achievements:
“The season started off very slowly for me but the plan was to race myself fit and the plan seems to be paying off!” an elated Turner revealed.
“I am happy with where it is going. I am feeling very happy with everything at the moment which reflects in my performances. My winter was fantastic up until Christmas when I got injured. I was unable to run for ten weeks, hence the ‘race myself fit’ strategy. Since I returned from injury it has gone really well and I am now starting to see the benefits of all this hard work.”
Belief
Hard work indeed; as Christie’s camp is notorious for undertaking a rigorous approach to training at their Brunel University base. Joined by Athens 4x100m relay gold-medallist Mark Lewis-Francis and a handful of British international sprinters, Turner’s tough regime has witnessed a marked improvement over the past season.
“It’s great (with Linford),” Turner explained. “He’s a really good person to be around. His energy rubs off on the group and as a result we all train really hard. We are always the loudest group at the track because we have a lot of laughs at training too.
My training week is pretty tough, I was quite daunted by it when I first joined the group, but I was soon able to handle it. We like at Brunel as it is quiet and I studied at Brunel University for six years (doing an MSc in physiology) so I feel at home there.”
The positive mental attitude instilled by her coach has helped Turner blossom this year to great effect. Victories at the BUPA Great Manchester City Games and in the ‘B’ race at the European Team Championships in Norway (to place third-fastest overall in the competition), were followed by a scintillating 100m and 200m double at the UK Championships and European trials earlier this month.
This far, it has been a season only blighted by her below-par eighth in her heat in the Gateshead leg of the IAAF Diamond League a fortnight ago but Turner is still in confident mood ahead of her Spanish test:
“My aim is always to win!” Turner exclaimed. “But with regards to the Championships, Linford tells me to make the final and anything can happen. But I am mega competitive so winning is always my main aim. I never put limits on my performances. I believe in Linford’s ability to get me ready and my ability to perform.”
Fierce
Turner is indeed a new athlete; one with supreme confidence in her own ability and an athlete who realistically and patiently believes they will reach the top of their sport in time. It was not so long ago, for example, that she exited the heats of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Turner has spent the past five years on the cusp of making a global impression; having to make do with reaching the semi-final stage at best on many occasions. It was in 2006 that she first reached near-medal status with fourth place in both the World University Games and the Commonwealth Games but since, her major championship participation has mainly been reduced to making finals as part of the relay squads; the latest being sixth place in the 2009 World championships in Berlin.
She will again join her team-mates in an attempt to better their silver medal from the previous European championships in Gothenburg four years ago but this time, Turner’s priority will be making – and seriously impacting – on the 100m individual final.
“2009 was pretty disappointing really,” Turner explained. “I was injured for the majority of the winter so missed a lot of training. It was my first winter with Linford and I wasn’t able to do anything he had planned for me. It was very frustrating but I always say that it makes me stronger, and I think it has.”
Turner not only looks strong but fierce and hungry, too and it is clear that she is bubbling over with excitement at the prospect of potentially bringing home two medals this month:
“I just to be the best I can be. I never put limits on my ambition. I am excited for the women’s sprint relay this year. We have some promising juniors which is always exciting. Those of us at the top are striving to be the best we can be, that is all anyone can ask of us.”
With a new coaching relationship that is evidently working wonders, coupled with her forthcoming nuptials in the spring, it is little wonder that Turner is on cloud nine - and in a fortnight’s time, it may well have a sparkling gold trim to it, to boot.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Wheelie Good Show
WRITTEN FOR SKYSPORTS
Only three years since bursting onto the global wheelchair racing scene Shelly Woods smashed the 1500m world-record last month, as she continues to round into a genuine 2012 Paralympic gold medal contender, writes Nicola Bamford.
The 24-year-old Blackpool athlete has long been hailed as Britain’s brightest female disability athlete since her predecessor, eleven-time Paralympic champion Dame Tanni Gray-Thompson.
Racing in the T54 category, Woods is enjoying a confidence-boosting 2010 following personal bests in distances from 200m all the way up to 5,000m. Coached by Pete Wyman on the track (who cycles ahead to push her on) and Adam Pratt in the gym, Woods has evidently put her demons from the London marathon last spring – where she suffered a flat tyre –firmly to bed.
World Record
Victory in the BUPA Great Manchester 10km put the wheels in motion for a superb summer for the former wheelchair basketball player, as she swiftly went onto break her 400m, 800m and 5,000m bests in the space of three days before capturing her first global mark – a scorching 3:21.22 in Switzerland:
“I’m really excited about my first world record and it feels great to have gone so fast, I’ve always wanted to own a world record. I was in the last race in 2007 when Chantal Petitclerc of Canada last set the world record of 3.24 and I remember finishing fourth about a second behind and thinking how fast and good she was to do that.
So for me to go 3:21 is fantastic and shows the training this season is going well and in the right direction and gives me some confidence. I knew I was capable of going fast and that the world record was a realistic thing for me to hit at some point; it was just a case of when and where, how fast and also winning the race. I was surprised to go under the record by three seconds though, as that’s quite a bit and it’s fast!” Woods exclaimed.
Medals Galore
That is Shelly Woods all over – modest and politely spoken but with a quiet steely determination to push the boundaries and one day emulate her illustrious aforementioned heroine. Indeed, the recently engaged athlete is no stranger to overcoming adversity.
She started using a wheelchair at the age of eleven after a heavy 20ft fall from a tree which injured her spinal cord yet Woods’ unwavering belief that she would go onto achieve the same as any other in life was recognised ten-fold when she found the sport of athletics.
Her considerable success includes 1500m silver and 5,000m bronze (in a race re-run after a six-woman pile-up) at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, three London marathon medals (including 2007 gold) as well as Paralympic World Cup 800m and 1500m bronze and BWAA International 400m and 1500m gold and 100m silver this year.
2009 was certainly another year with medals galore and kept Woods firmly on track for glory in 2012:
“2009 was good,” Woods explained. “I ranked in the top-three in the world rankings on the track and on the road and I had some good races like coming second in the New York Marathon.”
Targeting Gold
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Woods is targeting the BUPA Great North Run – an event she won in 2005 – and the victory in the New York marathon this autumn:
“New York is one race I would love to win; having come second there three times,” Woods revealed. “I love travelling there and racing the marathon course - it suits me well but it’s tough with some monster climbs.”
With a slight fear of flying, such commitment to racing across the globe is testament to Woods’ determined approach to establish herself as more than a world-record holder and number one in just one event.
For the remainder of 2010, she will focus her energy on being in top shape for January’s World championships in New Zealand, where the target is understandably a gold medal:
“I’d love to win a gold medal and with the World’s being at an awkward time of year in our winter, I have had to plan things a bit differently,” Woods explained.
Camaraderie
Planning is of extra importance now Woods has set a precedent with her world best, for she knows her rivals will now be gunning for her more than usual. But, ever the bubbly professional, Woods enjoys a friendly rivalry with her counterparts on the circuit:
“I love training and racing and representing my country, and I have a great relationship with my rivals,” she divulged.
“When I’m on the track and road, you have your game-face on and everything is about beating them so not so much niceness. But off the track, I’ve learned they are a bunch of great girls who I really respect and there is some good camaraderie.
But at the same time, all you want to do is beat them and make it really hard for them when racing, as they do to me. It’s what I get up train for everyday.”
And with that glimpse of spirited aggression to succeed, Woods is sure to capitalize on her recent form to forge deeper into the history books and capture that well-deserved gold in 2012.
Only three years since bursting onto the global wheelchair racing scene Shelly Woods smashed the 1500m world-record last month, as she continues to round into a genuine 2012 Paralympic gold medal contender, writes Nicola Bamford.
The 24-year-old Blackpool athlete has long been hailed as Britain’s brightest female disability athlete since her predecessor, eleven-time Paralympic champion Dame Tanni Gray-Thompson.
Racing in the T54 category, Woods is enjoying a confidence-boosting 2010 following personal bests in distances from 200m all the way up to 5,000m. Coached by Pete Wyman on the track (who cycles ahead to push her on) and Adam Pratt in the gym, Woods has evidently put her demons from the London marathon last spring – where she suffered a flat tyre –firmly to bed.
World Record
Victory in the BUPA Great Manchester 10km put the wheels in motion for a superb summer for the former wheelchair basketball player, as she swiftly went onto break her 400m, 800m and 5,000m bests in the space of three days before capturing her first global mark – a scorching 3:21.22 in Switzerland:
“I’m really excited about my first world record and it feels great to have gone so fast, I’ve always wanted to own a world record. I was in the last race in 2007 when Chantal Petitclerc of Canada last set the world record of 3.24 and I remember finishing fourth about a second behind and thinking how fast and good she was to do that.
So for me to go 3:21 is fantastic and shows the training this season is going well and in the right direction and gives me some confidence. I knew I was capable of going fast and that the world record was a realistic thing for me to hit at some point; it was just a case of when and where, how fast and also winning the race. I was surprised to go under the record by three seconds though, as that’s quite a bit and it’s fast!” Woods exclaimed.
Medals Galore
That is Shelly Woods all over – modest and politely spoken but with a quiet steely determination to push the boundaries and one day emulate her illustrious aforementioned heroine. Indeed, the recently engaged athlete is no stranger to overcoming adversity.
She started using a wheelchair at the age of eleven after a heavy 20ft fall from a tree which injured her spinal cord yet Woods’ unwavering belief that she would go onto achieve the same as any other in life was recognised ten-fold when she found the sport of athletics.
Her considerable success includes 1500m silver and 5,000m bronze (in a race re-run after a six-woman pile-up) at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, three London marathon medals (including 2007 gold) as well as Paralympic World Cup 800m and 1500m bronze and BWAA International 400m and 1500m gold and 100m silver this year.
2009 was certainly another year with medals galore and kept Woods firmly on track for glory in 2012:
“2009 was good,” Woods explained. “I ranked in the top-three in the world rankings on the track and on the road and I had some good races like coming second in the New York Marathon.”
Targeting Gold
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Woods is targeting the BUPA Great North Run – an event she won in 2005 – and the victory in the New York marathon this autumn:
“New York is one race I would love to win; having come second there three times,” Woods revealed. “I love travelling there and racing the marathon course - it suits me well but it’s tough with some monster climbs.”
With a slight fear of flying, such commitment to racing across the globe is testament to Woods’ determined approach to establish herself as more than a world-record holder and number one in just one event.
For the remainder of 2010, she will focus her energy on being in top shape for January’s World championships in New Zealand, where the target is understandably a gold medal:
“I’d love to win a gold medal and with the World’s being at an awkward time of year in our winter, I have had to plan things a bit differently,” Woods explained.
Camaraderie
Planning is of extra importance now Woods has set a precedent with her world best, for she knows her rivals will now be gunning for her more than usual. But, ever the bubbly professional, Woods enjoys a friendly rivalry with her counterparts on the circuit:
“I love training and racing and representing my country, and I have a great relationship with my rivals,” she divulged.
“When I’m on the track and road, you have your game-face on and everything is about beating them so not so much niceness. But off the track, I’ve learned they are a bunch of great girls who I really respect and there is some good camaraderie.
But at the same time, all you want to do is beat them and make it really hard for them when racing, as they do to me. It’s what I get up train for everyday.”
And with that glimpse of spirited aggression to succeed, Woods is sure to capitalize on her recent form to forge deeper into the history books and capture that well-deserved gold in 2012.
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Mr Versatile
WRITTEN FOR SKYSPORTS
Not many athletes can consistently perform at a world-class level over distances ranging from the 100m all the way up to the marathon but for Paralympic great David Weir, its second nature, writes Nicola Bamford.
The 31-year-old Londoner, who competes in the T54 category, is arguably Britain’s finest wheelchair racer and a global force to be reckoned with on the track and road; such is his determined, intelligent yet aggressive aptitude for the sport.
Having taken up disability athletics at the age of eight, Weir went on to compete at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics aged just 17 before dropping out of the sport for a few years, only to return in time for the 2004 Athens Games where he took 100m silver and 200m bronze.
Swansong
His years of dedication and honing of talent has to date rewarded him with an impressive collection of twenty major championship medals, including multiple British and World records over both terrains - but Weir is not finished with the sport yet, as he continues to create sparks in the lead up to his ultimate goal of claiming gold in the London 2012 Paralympics:
“2012’s the biggie for me,” Weir explained. “And I obviously want to do well in the Worlds in January but it’ll be tough to peak then for the champs in New Zealand – I’m not normally very good at peaking early but it’s an important stepping stone to the London Games and it will probably be my last Paralympics.”
A repeat of his Beijing 2008 accomplishments would indeed provide the ultimate swansong for Weir, who as a stalwart in British disability sport, has become a British Paralympic hero and earned himself an MBE in 2009 for his athletic achievements.
Adversity
On his superb sporting CV and longevity, Weir revealed: “2009 was an off-year for me – there was no major focus so it was a funny year. I wanted a break from the sport; I’ve been racing competitively since I was 20 so I’ve been doing it for a long time. 2009 was good away from racing, what with the MBE and being given freedom of my local borough and recognised by the community.
“The achievements I’m most proud of are my three world golds and one silver and Beijing was special also, as I was frightened after having glandular fever in 2007 – it was tough to come back from it but I still won (800m and 1500m gold, 400m silver and 5,000m bronze).”
Bouncing back from adversity, too, is certainly is one of Weir’s specialities. A four-time winner of the London marathon, Weir was devastated to suffer two flat tyres in the closing stages of this year’s race whilst enjoying a huge lead but returned with vigour to win the BUPA Great Manchester 10km title the following month; showing eye-catching form.
Personal Bests
Coached by Jenny Archer and joined by his personal trainer on a bike to push him during sessions in the capital’s Richmond Park and Kingston track, Weir’s season has progressed with consummate ease and at confidence-boosting rate after capitalising on his triple gold medal-winning display in BWAA International and World Cup 1500m gold last year to speed to three personal bests recently.
During a visit to Switzerland earlier this month, Weir battled with his great Swiss rival Marcel Hug to go beneath his world records in the 1500m and 5,000m but agonisingly, still narrowly lost the two global bests to his compatriot.
In fields that resembled Paralympic final start-lists, Weir clocked 1:32.66 in the 800m before breaking the world bests – albeit in second place – with 2:55.25 and 9:53.15, respectively.
On his form this year, Weir said: “I’m really pleased with my season so far. London wasn’t good but it wasn’t my fault and then getting a virus around the time of the World Cup – my times were bad but we sorted out my medication.
In Switzerland my times were very fast – it was a shame I didn’t win, though. I was very happy with those PB’s but frustrated – I wish I’d had more training time since the virus before the races but that’s the way it turned out.”
New Territory
Hoping to get revenge and even quicker, Weir will now drive into new territory as he takes part in three consecutive IAAF Diamond League demonstration races this summer. Tomorrow, he will contest the 1500m in Lausanne before tackling the same event as well as the 100m and 800m “for fun” in Gateshead this Saturday.
“Training’s been consistent recently, which is good to know. I just need to keep it up until the end of season races in Paris, Crystal Palace and Zurich,” Weir explained.
“I don’t focus on the sprints anymore – more the 800m, 1500m and the 5,000m – the latter two are my favourite events. The speed-work in the summer really helps my longer races in the autumn/winter.”
Dogged Obsession
Weir’s speed-endurance will be tested to the maximum this autumn; too, as after a competition break in August, he has aspirations of glory in either the Great North Run (a title he claimed in 2003 and 2005) or the Berlin marathon in September, with a view to adding to his 2005 victory in the New York marathon.
And with 2012 fast on the horizon, each competition holds more importance than ever and although focused on the climax of his Paralympic dream, Weir is already looking to the future away from the racing chair:
“I want to get into coaching after my athletics career and I would like to do more DJ’ing – I do it at home as a hobby to unwind; I’ve always been into the underground music scene. Also when I retire, I’d like to get into breeding French bulldogs with my partner.”
And with Weir’s dogged, terrier-like obsession of achieving on the global stage, it is little wonder he is fascinated with producing such creatures in order to continue those trademark winning traits long after retirement.
Not many athletes can consistently perform at a world-class level over distances ranging from the 100m all the way up to the marathon but for Paralympic great David Weir, its second nature, writes Nicola Bamford.
The 31-year-old Londoner, who competes in the T54 category, is arguably Britain’s finest wheelchair racer and a global force to be reckoned with on the track and road; such is his determined, intelligent yet aggressive aptitude for the sport.
Having taken up disability athletics at the age of eight, Weir went on to compete at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics aged just 17 before dropping out of the sport for a few years, only to return in time for the 2004 Athens Games where he took 100m silver and 200m bronze.
Swansong
His years of dedication and honing of talent has to date rewarded him with an impressive collection of twenty major championship medals, including multiple British and World records over both terrains - but Weir is not finished with the sport yet, as he continues to create sparks in the lead up to his ultimate goal of claiming gold in the London 2012 Paralympics:
“2012’s the biggie for me,” Weir explained. “And I obviously want to do well in the Worlds in January but it’ll be tough to peak then for the champs in New Zealand – I’m not normally very good at peaking early but it’s an important stepping stone to the London Games and it will probably be my last Paralympics.”
A repeat of his Beijing 2008 accomplishments would indeed provide the ultimate swansong for Weir, who as a stalwart in British disability sport, has become a British Paralympic hero and earned himself an MBE in 2009 for his athletic achievements.
Adversity
On his superb sporting CV and longevity, Weir revealed: “2009 was an off-year for me – there was no major focus so it was a funny year. I wanted a break from the sport; I’ve been racing competitively since I was 20 so I’ve been doing it for a long time. 2009 was good away from racing, what with the MBE and being given freedom of my local borough and recognised by the community.
“The achievements I’m most proud of are my three world golds and one silver and Beijing was special also, as I was frightened after having glandular fever in 2007 – it was tough to come back from it but I still won (800m and 1500m gold, 400m silver and 5,000m bronze).”
Bouncing back from adversity, too, is certainly is one of Weir’s specialities. A four-time winner of the London marathon, Weir was devastated to suffer two flat tyres in the closing stages of this year’s race whilst enjoying a huge lead but returned with vigour to win the BUPA Great Manchester 10km title the following month; showing eye-catching form.
Personal Bests
Coached by Jenny Archer and joined by his personal trainer on a bike to push him during sessions in the capital’s Richmond Park and Kingston track, Weir’s season has progressed with consummate ease and at confidence-boosting rate after capitalising on his triple gold medal-winning display in BWAA International and World Cup 1500m gold last year to speed to three personal bests recently.
During a visit to Switzerland earlier this month, Weir battled with his great Swiss rival Marcel Hug to go beneath his world records in the 1500m and 5,000m but agonisingly, still narrowly lost the two global bests to his compatriot.
In fields that resembled Paralympic final start-lists, Weir clocked 1:32.66 in the 800m before breaking the world bests – albeit in second place – with 2:55.25 and 9:53.15, respectively.
On his form this year, Weir said: “I’m really pleased with my season so far. London wasn’t good but it wasn’t my fault and then getting a virus around the time of the World Cup – my times were bad but we sorted out my medication.
In Switzerland my times were very fast – it was a shame I didn’t win, though. I was very happy with those PB’s but frustrated – I wish I’d had more training time since the virus before the races but that’s the way it turned out.”
New Territory
Hoping to get revenge and even quicker, Weir will now drive into new territory as he takes part in three consecutive IAAF Diamond League demonstration races this summer. Tomorrow, he will contest the 1500m in Lausanne before tackling the same event as well as the 100m and 800m “for fun” in Gateshead this Saturday.
“Training’s been consistent recently, which is good to know. I just need to keep it up until the end of season races in Paris, Crystal Palace and Zurich,” Weir explained.
“I don’t focus on the sprints anymore – more the 800m, 1500m and the 5,000m – the latter two are my favourite events. The speed-work in the summer really helps my longer races in the autumn/winter.”
Dogged Obsession
Weir’s speed-endurance will be tested to the maximum this autumn; too, as after a competition break in August, he has aspirations of glory in either the Great North Run (a title he claimed in 2003 and 2005) or the Berlin marathon in September, with a view to adding to his 2005 victory in the New York marathon.
And with 2012 fast on the horizon, each competition holds more importance than ever and although focused on the climax of his Paralympic dream, Weir is already looking to the future away from the racing chair:
“I want to get into coaching after my athletics career and I would like to do more DJ’ing – I do it at home as a hobby to unwind; I’ve always been into the underground music scene. Also when I retire, I’d like to get into breeding French bulldogs with my partner.”
And with Weir’s dogged, terrier-like obsession of achieving on the global stage, it is little wonder he is fascinated with producing such creatures in order to continue those trademark winning traits long after retirement.
Friday, 2 July 2010
Golf's No Handicap for Hockey Stars
WRITTEN FOR AMATEUR GOLF WEBSITE ON BEHALF OF DAVID WELCH MANAGEMENT
It is a well-known fact that many international sports stars enjoy a round of golf from time to time for purposes of relaxation, escapism and team-bonding, but five members of Team GB’s hockey squad are pretty nifty at their second-claim sporting pastime, writes Nicola Bamford.
Top of the pile when it comes to showing off their driving and putting skills is 29-year-old Rob Moore. A member of Team GB since 2003, the midfielder has racked up over 170 international caps on the hockey court as well as performing in the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Working part-time as a hockey and cricket coach, Moore picks out the team’s 2009 European gold and fourth place from the World Cup last March as his career highlights but he also boasts an impressive golfing resume:
“I’m not bad, I’ve got a low handicap of three,” Moore modestly reveals. “I play a lot – it’s great for relaxation purposes. I like to play with the other squad members - we try to fit a game in when we’re away on trips or when we’re back in the UK.
I’m a member of the Berkshire golf club near Ascot which I really enjoy being part of – it’s a very long and difficult process to get into so I’m lucky to be a member of such a nice place. I play a lot when there are no games or training to be done and we get to play on so pretty nice courses around the world.”
Unsurprisingly, the hockey lads all agree that Moore’s the top golfer on the team but 22-year-old Ashley Jackson is a close runner-up on the course.
The 2009 World young hockey player of the year plays off a handicap of six and is a member of Sweetwood Park golf club in Sussex.
The 85-capped midfielder is a full-time athlete and despite his relative youth, made the Olympic, European and World Cup squads.
On his golfing endeavours, Jackson explained: “I play whenever I can do for a challenge and to be with friends and my team-mates. I can’t go (to Sweetwood Park) often but when it’s the off-season, I usually go two or three times a week.”
Proving golf’s not just for the male hockey professionals, is 25-year-old Chloe Rogers; a former national university golf champion and county champion.
As an attacking midfielder, Rogers has an impressive 106 international caps since her GB debut in 2003 and states Commonwealth Games bronze (2006) and European and World Cup bronze (in 2007 and 2009, respectively) as her best hockey achievements.
Another stand-out accomplishment was placing sixth in the Beijing Olympics despite the team being ranked tenth prior to the Games.
A full-time athlete who occasionally coaches and gives motivational talks in schools, Rogers however, could have easily gone down the route of chasing a career as a professional golfer:
“I won the BUSA (British University - now BUCS) singles title in 2007 and I played in many English and British amateur competitions in the 2003/4 seasons and was the Essex champion in 2003.” Rogers revealed.
“I’m a member of the Braintree golf club in Essex – I try to play there when I can; I do county competitions when I have the time. I really enjoy playing golf - I would have liked to have tried to become a pro if it were not for hockey.
It’s nice to do another sport occasionally – it doesn’t tire you out and it’s nice especially in the sunny weather. Not many of our women play so I don’t usually play when we’re abroad but we’ll sometimes go to a driving range.”
Providing more opposition on the course for Moore and Jackson is part-time PE teacher and hockey coach Matt Daly. The 26-year-old has notched up 135 caps as an up-front attacker and was in the squad that took continental glory last summer.
On why he plays golf, Daly explained: “I’m not a member of a golf club, I’m a social golfer in the nice summer days. I play off a handicap between ten and twelve.
Because we’re all either full or part-time athletes, it’s nice that we can go for a round of golf occasionally – we do more at home than abroad. We occasionally get the chance to play before the start of a big tournament abroad; we’re fortunate we get those opportunities and it’s nice with my team-mates.”
With a handicap of 14; still quite an admirable score, is the fifth golf enthusiast from the hockey world; Simon Mantell.
Aged 26, the hockey forward owns 90-odd caps and has scored 28 goals in his international career. Mantell is another full-time athlete and was sidelined with a fractured metatarsal for two months from March this year before returning to full-fitness after an operation where a pin was inserted.
Golf, he says, is the only other sport the team’s physio allows them to play: “I like playing against the squad and I’m a member of the Mendit golf club in Somerset,” Mantell revealed.
“I play when I can, it’s a great sport - great for active-recovery on our rest days. It’s great for mental toughness – you can be competitive with yourself and also your friends. My favourite course was when we were away in the 2008 Olympic holding-camp in Macau – the golf and country club there was great. I’m not the best golfer in the squad – that would be Rob.”
It is a well-known fact that many international sports stars enjoy a round of golf from time to time for purposes of relaxation, escapism and team-bonding, but five members of Team GB’s hockey squad are pretty nifty at their second-claim sporting pastime, writes Nicola Bamford.
Top of the pile when it comes to showing off their driving and putting skills is 29-year-old Rob Moore. A member of Team GB since 2003, the midfielder has racked up over 170 international caps on the hockey court as well as performing in the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Working part-time as a hockey and cricket coach, Moore picks out the team’s 2009 European gold and fourth place from the World Cup last March as his career highlights but he also boasts an impressive golfing resume:
“I’m not bad, I’ve got a low handicap of three,” Moore modestly reveals. “I play a lot – it’s great for relaxation purposes. I like to play with the other squad members - we try to fit a game in when we’re away on trips or when we’re back in the UK.
I’m a member of the Berkshire golf club near Ascot which I really enjoy being part of – it’s a very long and difficult process to get into so I’m lucky to be a member of such a nice place. I play a lot when there are no games or training to be done and we get to play on so pretty nice courses around the world.”
Unsurprisingly, the hockey lads all agree that Moore’s the top golfer on the team but 22-year-old Ashley Jackson is a close runner-up on the course.
The 2009 World young hockey player of the year plays off a handicap of six and is a member of Sweetwood Park golf club in Sussex.
The 85-capped midfielder is a full-time athlete and despite his relative youth, made the Olympic, European and World Cup squads.
On his golfing endeavours, Jackson explained: “I play whenever I can do for a challenge and to be with friends and my team-mates. I can’t go (to Sweetwood Park) often but when it’s the off-season, I usually go two or three times a week.”
Proving golf’s not just for the male hockey professionals, is 25-year-old Chloe Rogers; a former national university golf champion and county champion.
As an attacking midfielder, Rogers has an impressive 106 international caps since her GB debut in 2003 and states Commonwealth Games bronze (2006) and European and World Cup bronze (in 2007 and 2009, respectively) as her best hockey achievements.
Another stand-out accomplishment was placing sixth in the Beijing Olympics despite the team being ranked tenth prior to the Games.
A full-time athlete who occasionally coaches and gives motivational talks in schools, Rogers however, could have easily gone down the route of chasing a career as a professional golfer:
“I won the BUSA (British University - now BUCS) singles title in 2007 and I played in many English and British amateur competitions in the 2003/4 seasons and was the Essex champion in 2003.” Rogers revealed.
“I’m a member of the Braintree golf club in Essex – I try to play there when I can; I do county competitions when I have the time. I really enjoy playing golf - I would have liked to have tried to become a pro if it were not for hockey.
It’s nice to do another sport occasionally – it doesn’t tire you out and it’s nice especially in the sunny weather. Not many of our women play so I don’t usually play when we’re abroad but we’ll sometimes go to a driving range.”
Providing more opposition on the course for Moore and Jackson is part-time PE teacher and hockey coach Matt Daly. The 26-year-old has notched up 135 caps as an up-front attacker and was in the squad that took continental glory last summer.
On why he plays golf, Daly explained: “I’m not a member of a golf club, I’m a social golfer in the nice summer days. I play off a handicap between ten and twelve.
Because we’re all either full or part-time athletes, it’s nice that we can go for a round of golf occasionally – we do more at home than abroad. We occasionally get the chance to play before the start of a big tournament abroad; we’re fortunate we get those opportunities and it’s nice with my team-mates.”
With a handicap of 14; still quite an admirable score, is the fifth golf enthusiast from the hockey world; Simon Mantell.
Aged 26, the hockey forward owns 90-odd caps and has scored 28 goals in his international career. Mantell is another full-time athlete and was sidelined with a fractured metatarsal for two months from March this year before returning to full-fitness after an operation where a pin was inserted.
Golf, he says, is the only other sport the team’s physio allows them to play: “I like playing against the squad and I’m a member of the Mendit golf club in Somerset,” Mantell revealed.
“I play when I can, it’s a great sport - great for active-recovery on our rest days. It’s great for mental toughness – you can be competitive with yourself and also your friends. My favourite course was when we were away in the 2008 Olympic holding-camp in Macau – the golf and country club there was great. I’m not the best golfer in the squad – that would be Rob.”
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