K J-T’s the Kat that got the Cream

WRITTEN FOR THE IAAF

Twelve months ago, Britain’s multi-events starlet Katarina Johnson-Thompson had only just begun jogging again after a serious knee injury which ruined two years of her blossoming career, but now she heads into the winter as a world junior champion and London 2012 Olympian after a remarkable record-breaking season.

The 19-year-old from Liverpool in the north-west of England recorded no less than twelve lifetime bests this summer, including an impressive 6267 British junior heptathlon record, which catapulted her to the top-spot in the world junior seasonal rankings and sixth on the all-time list.

The 6ft-tall ‘KJT’, as she is affectionately known, thus revised her 2011 personal best score by almost 500-points in what was arguably one of the breakthrough stories of the 2012 campaign, and truly ensured the banishment of her past injury woes. 

Guided by Mike Holmes, the 2009 world youth heptathlon champion enjoyed a near-flawless summer, beginning with a 6007 total at the MultiStars meeting in Italy in May to break 2009 world champion Jessica Ennis’ national junior record, before collecting 6248 points at the IAAF World Combined Events Challenge meeting in the Czech Republic the following month to qualify for London Games.

The latter performance was achieved courtesy of six personal best marks and an overall best by 241-points, showing great signs of promise for her Olympic debut, and Johnson-Thompson refused to rest on her laurels in the countdown to the Games by claiming a surprise long jump gold at the IAAF World junior Championships in Barcelona in July, with an eye-catching 6.51m lifetime best.

Entering the competition ranked only tenth, she pipped Germany’s European junior champion Lena Malkus by a single centimetre with a windy 6.81m, after narrowly missing out on a place in the 100m
hurdles final.

“Barcelona was pretty weird as I knew I was going to the Olympic Games at the last minute so doing the heptathlon there would have been a compromise,” Johnson-Thompson explained.

“I flopped in the Olympic trials (in Birmingham in late June, where she recorded disappointing marks of 6.08m in the long jump, 1.77m in the high jump and 13.78 in the 100m hurdles) and it was a wake-up call.”

“Because of that, I worked really hard on my long jump and only went to Barcelona to gain consistency so I was made up with a PB. It was crazy winning as the 800m of the heptathlon was happening at the same and it all happened so quickly. It was really surreal and very unexpected, I was over the moon.”

‘Inspired’

Three weeks later and still riding on the crest of a wave, Johnson-Thompson announced herself on her senior international debut in the British capital by storming to an inspired fifteenth place in the Olympic heptathlon behind Ennis’ gold-medal-winning antics.

Her 6267 national junior best in front of a fanatical 80,000-strong home crowd shot her to twenty-fourth on the global 2012 list, thanks to four individual lifetime bests of 13.48 (100m hurdles), 1.89m (high jump), 23.73 (200m) and 2:10.76 for the final event, the 800m.

Now proudly sitting in fifth place on the British senior all-time rankings behind the new Olympic champion and the Sydney 2000 winner Denise Lewis, Johnson-Thompson – who finished only sixth in the 2011 European junior heptathlon – is being hailed as ‘the next Ennis’.

“The crowd was like nothing I’ve ever experienced, they were really hyped up for every British athlete,” the prodigious youngster recalled.

“The call-up area was sound-proof so it was a crazy atmosphere when you got out into the stadium.
My mum, nan and uncle were there but I wasn’t nervous until after the competition because I knew there were no expectations on me, I was just so happy to be there, I’m a very laid-back and smiley person.”

“I’m happy I got some PB’s under so much pressure – I performed on the big occasion and it was just amazing, especially competing alongside Jess and on ‘super Saturday’. She inspired me a lot and I got emotional when she won, I’m inspired to be like her one day.”

Citing herself as ‘chronically indecisive so I’ve adopted the heptathlon’ Johnson-Thompson was indeed relieved to simply gain Olympic selection after suffering from ‘jumper’s knee’ during the 2010 and 2011 seasons:

“I was on painkillers for it for almost all of 2011 so I had a PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injection into the tendon in September and got back jogging in the November,” she revealed.

“It made getting to the Olympic Games all the sweeter - I never took making the Games for granted,  it was a dream I had but it was more for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, but with it being in London, I put my heart and soul into qualifying for it.”

‘Insane’

Following a two-month training break, Johnson-Thompson admitted that she was itching to return to the track last month after a holiday to the Bahamas and a whirlwind spell of celebrations and invitations to glittering events.

The most exciting of which she claims was the Team GB parade throughout the streets of London upon the completion of the Paralympics:

“The bus parade was the most amazing day – the crowds were never-ending, a million people turned out to support us,” she recalled.

“It was nice to rest as the year had put so much pressure on me both physically and emotionally and now everything’s still the same, it’s just that people have more respect for what you do.” 

Relishing her harsh winter training regime, Johnson-Thompson singles out the shot put and javelin as the key elements to work on throughout the off-season, before tackling a few indoor events in the New Year to sharpen up for the summer.

Having recently deferred her university studies until next autumn, when she will study Food and Nutrition at Liverpool John Moores University, Johnson-Thompson will target a medal at the European under23 Championships in Tampere, Finland next July and a big points score at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow in August - both in the combined events competition.

“I’m only quite young so I’ve got lots to look forward to and now I’ve had a taste of the big events,” she explained.

“The Euro’s won’t be a walk in the park and a medal would be good. The World’s is my main aim,
I’d like to keep progressing and improve my throws and I would like good points in Moscow but I’m not thinking about a placing there.”

Looking further ahead in her development, Johnson-Thompson is understandably intrigued as to just how much further she can improve and following an outstanding 2012, has set her sights on establishing herself in the next Olympic cycle:

“Rio’s always been a target for me but it could be my time in 2020 when I’m hopefully at my peak and become Olympic champion,” KJT envisaged.

“It will also be insane to go back (to the London Olympic stadium for the World Championships) in 2017 where it all started for me as a senior.”

2012 will certainly be remembered as the year when KJT arrived on the senior stage with a bang, finally allowing Kat to get her well-deserved cream.

Nicola Bamford for the IAAF

Olympic role = No Blogging

Between the months of June, July and August, there will be no blog additions to this site, due to my contractual obligations with LOCOG (London 2012), with whom I am working for this summer as an Olympic news wire reporter (athletics)...

Murray's Shock Breakthrough

WRITTEN FOR SKYSPORTS

After a whirlwind early season track campaign has propelled him to the cusp of Olympic selection, 1500m prodigy Ross Murray admits to being in a state of shock following a less-than-professional build-up to London 2012, writes Nicola Bamford.

The 21-year-old from Gateshead confessed to being so disillusioned with the sport last summer that he succumbed to the university stereotype of surrounding himself with parties and alcohol, causing him to gain 7kg in weight and lose his passion for athletics in the process.

But now – following an injury-free winter – the St Mary’s university undergraduate finds himself as a key contender for Team GB ahead of Augusts’ Olympic Games in the British capital, after speeding to a remarkable 3:34.66 clocking last weekend.

Guided by Craig Winrow, Murray – who has now improved from 3:43.51 since 2010 and from 3:40.34 in the space of just five weeks – revealed:

“This year has been a bit mental to be honest!

“At the start of the year, I didn't think I would run that quick - I thought maybe 3:36 at best so to run it on a cold windy day and win the race by five seconds was a bit of a shock!

“After that, I thought I would have a shot at running the Olympic ‘A’ standard but I wasn't exactly sure how quick I could go.”

Lucky

Opening his outdoor campaign with a solid 3:40.34 in Stretford at the end of April, Murray then went on to register his breakthrough 3:36.69 Olympic ‘B’ standard at the BMC Grand Prix in Manchester in mid-May, before unleashing a shock 3:34.76 clocking when finishing ninth against a top international field at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in Hengelo in the Netherlands just eight days
later.

Murray – who did not compete over the metric mile at all in 2011 – currently sits as second on the British rankings for the season behind World 5,000m champion Mo Farah (3:34.66) and in twenty-first position on the UK all-time senior list.

Now ranked as the fifth-fastest u23 of all-time, Murray explained the reasoning behind his sudden metamorphosis: 

“2011 wasn't a great year for me – I was training quite well early in the year but then I got ill and injured and it all fell to bits,” he said of the year in which he dabbled in the 5,000m event, resulting in a best of only 15:16.76.

“I was trying to live the university lifestyle as well as the athlete lifestyle and it just couldn't work.

“Once I got injured, I got very disillusioned with the sport and went off the rails for a bit - I was out partying way too much, drinking too much - I put on about 6/7kgs and wasn't sure if I wanted to get back involved in athletics.

“I was even organizing to go and work abroad in one of the club 18-30 resorts but luckily, things worked out and I feel like a very lucky boy right now.”

On the winter which saw him place ninth in the British universities cross-country championships and seventh in the UK indoor 3,000m championship final, Murray continued:

“My winter wasn't a perfect build-up - through September and October, I was still trying to build up into full training after my Achilles injury.

“I had a calf problem in November but by the end of December, I was almost at full training and since then, I've been lucky enough to get some consistent training in without too many issues.” 

Crazy

A sixth-place finisher at the 2009 European junior championships, Murray plans to next tackle either an 800m or another 1,500m competition before heading to the Olympic trials in Birmingham at the end of June, where he hopes to seal his place on the British Olympic squad.

Understandably excited about the prospect of making his Olympic debut on home turf, at a young age and on the back of such an eye-catching revival, Murray revealed:

“The main goal now is to just make that Olympic team - I'm not thinking much beyond that as I don't want to get ahead of myself.

“It has been a crazy year so far as it is so, I just want to take it all one step at a time, stay relaxed, keep having fun and hopefully things will go well.”

With a refreshingly laid-back attitude to his second chance in the sport, Murray – who is known for his love of pizza and admits to craving an appearance in reality TV show Geordie Shore – added:

“I love chilling in the beer garden with the boys and girls, relaxing and having fun - I think people can sometimes take sport too seriously, the main thing is to enjoy it - if you don't then what's the point!?”

Aiming for a top-two position in the trials next month, the 2011 UK 3,000m indoor silver-medalist continued:

“If I made the London Olympics, I would be absolutely buzzing!

“To step out in front of a home crowd would be something that may never be matched in your career again - I would just want to do myself, my family, my friends and the whole country proud!”

Sanya Chasing Missing Gold

WRITTEN FOR SKYSPORTS

Despite taking world indoor and outdoor gold over the past three seasons, 400m sprinter Sanya Richards-Ross will not be content with her illustrious track career until she claims the elusive Olympic crown in London this summer, writes Nicola Bamford.

The 27-year-old American has been among the top tier of global one-lap running for eight years now and having been stripped of her 4x400m relay victory from the 2004 Athens Games, due to a doping admission from team-mate Crystal Cox, Richards-Ross is eager to grab the top Olympic prize once more.

Guided by Clyde Hart - the man who coached world 400m record-holder, Michael Johnson to two Olympic quarter-mile glories – Richards-Ross started her 2012 campaign in fine form, winning the world indoor title with 50.79 in Turkey in March, before opening her outdoor season in Jamaica earlier this month.

Based in Texas for most of the year, she opened with an impressive 50.11 clocking and then went onto win the 200m at last weekend’s Great Manchester CityGames in 22.71 on the straightaway surface.

Speaking exclusively after the North-West event, Richards-Ross explained:

“It felt good – it was fun to run 200m on the straightaway and it didn’t seem that far so I had a great run today and I’m happy.

“I wanted to run under 23-seconds - my coach told me to be patient for the first 100m so I’m very satisfied as it was kind of cold and into a head-wind.

“It was a fantastic experience, I wish they had more events like this and in the States, where the fans can get really close to us and experience the great atmosphere – I had a great time and I definitely want to come back.”

Excited

Born in Kingston, Jamaica and a US citizen since 2002, Richards-Ross is relieved to be back to top form following a below-par summer last year due to a flare up of Behcets disease, a form of vasculitis which she now has under control.

Finishing seventh in the World outdoor Championship final in Daegu, South Korea, the 48.70 runner managed to salvage her 2011 with a gold medal-winning performance in the 4x400m relay final – both events which she won in the 2009 Berlin edition.

Next competing in Ostrava on Friday, Richards-Ross will then travel to Eugene for the Diamond League event in early June before aiming to seal her Olympic selection at the US trials late next month.

Confident of making her third consecutive Olympic appearance, Richards-Ross revealed:

“My health is the best it’s been for a long time – I feel like I’m past it now and my doctors have me on medication so I’m really happy that I’m physically healthy.

“I was really pleased with my indoor training – at the start of the year, I wasn’t sure if I was going to run indoors but my coach didn’t tweak my training too much and I ran great and I was happy to win my first World indoor title.

“Outdoor’s started off pretty well - I had a good race in Jamaica so I’m really excited as I’m in the best shape I’ve been in for a really long time – I’m healthy and I think it’s going to be a great year.”

An Edge

Married to NFL player Aaron Ross, the 2008 Olympic bronze-medallist and 4x400m champion from the Beijing Games has found an unusual distraction from the sport to keep the nerves and pressure at bay.

Owning and running a beauty salon in her home county, Richards-Ross explained:

“My sister and my mom and I run the business together and it’s one of my favourite pastimes when I’m not training.

“I really enjoy the business side of it and also fashion, hair and beauty and we started out own hair-line which has a range of luxury extensions so it’s really fun for me - I call myself a silent partner but I’m not really that silent,” she joked.

With constant globe-trotting commitments necessary in order to hone her craft ahead of the biggest competition of the year, family support is vital to her success, she continued:

“Aaron’s coach has given him time off to watch the Games and it will be his first time watching me in a major championship so I hope having him there will help give me an edge!”

Due to be based in Birmingham from mid-July in the Team USA preparation camp, Richards-Ross revealed:

“I’m so looking forward to feeling the energy and excitement beforehand, I just can’t wait – I think the Olympics will start at our training camp and then really build up from there.

“I’m focusing on the 400m as I’ve wanted to win the Olympic gold in that event for such a long time, which is so hard to accomplish, though I’m not sure if my coach will want to enter me in the 200m as well.

“The Olympic gold is the only thing missing from my resume so I really want to get that gold medal.

“Christine Ohuruogu will be one of my toughest challengers – she’s going to be competing on home soil, which I think will help her and Novlene Williams-Mills has started off the season really strong as well as Amantle Montsho who won the title last year so I think it’s one of the most exciting races at the Olympic Games.

“Anything less than the gold would be a disappointment for me because that’s what I train for - every sportsman wants to win, that’s why we train so hard.”

Helsinki a great opportunity for medals, believes former two-time European 4x400m relay champ, Baulch

WRITTEN FOR EUROPEAN ATHLETICS

Fourteen years on from collecting continental gold in the long relay with Great Britain and Northern Ireland team-mates Mark Hylton, Iwan Thomas and Mark Richardson, Welshman Jamie Baulch believes the new biennial format of the European Championships is a change for the better, writes Nicola Bamford.

The 38-year-old from Cardiff – who pipped Poland and Spain in the 1998 contest in Budapest and went on to retain the 4x400m crown in Munich four years later from Russia and France with compatriots Jared Deacon, Matt Elias and Daniel Caines – has fond memories of the event and explained:

“Championships are what we’re all after so generally it’s a good thing that the European’s is now every two years, as elite athletes have a short lifespan at the top so they want to get as many medals as they can.”

With the 2012 European event set to be staged in the Finnish capital of Helsinki between June 27th and July 1st fast-approaching, athletes across the continent are opening their seasons early to reach sharp mid-season form.

A winner of eleven major championship medals including the 1999 World indoor individual 400m gold from Japan and the 1996 Olympic relay silver in Atlanta, Baulch knows first-hand how a European title is not to be sniffed at:

“I have great memories of both occasions in my career,” he revealed.

“1998 was so special to me - I have fond memories of the track, the feeling of getting that gold medal and at the time, European 400m running was at its highest peak – we had such an amazing team and it was a tough race.

“I preferred Budapest to Munich as it was drizzling rain compared to the boiling heat of four years earlier.”

The holder of the British indoor record with a 45.39 clocking from the 1997 season, the father of two boys hung up his spikes in 2005 with an outdoor best of 44.57, which still ranks him as seventh on an illustrious British all-time list.

In 2010, Baulch and his team-mates were finally upgraded as the true 1997 World champions, a full thirteen years after the event, leaving the founder of Definitive Sports Management and the Jamie Baulch Academy with a bitter taste.

Keen to utilise his expertise on the global athletics circuit, Baulch manages the likes of World 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene and recalls watching his charge storm to European glory in the 2010 Barcelona event as one of his finest memories as an agent.

On his opinion of the event now only ten weeks way, Baulch explained:

“I think Helsinki will be a successful championship - lots of athletes will contest the 400m, just not the top British sprinters as they have to be a lot more selective this year, what with the home Games approaching and it also comes just a few days after the British Olympic trials. Helsinki’s a great place and it’s somewhere I can’t believe I haven’t been to before.”

Still running regularly – with a fine 3:51:44 clocking in the 2011 London Marathon to his name – Baulch will be seen on British television in July contesting ITV’s “Dancing on Ice – Going for Gold” celebrity competition alongside fellow British compatriots, four-time European 110m hurdles champion Colin Jackson and 1984 Olympic javelin champion Tessa Sanderson on the eve of the London Olympic Games.

Whether he can ice-skate as well as he can run and manage elite athletes remains to be seen...

Cathartic Return for Chambers

WRITTEN ON MAY 20

Having today competed in his first race on UK soil since hearing the news that his Olympic dream could still be alive, sprinter Dwain Chambers has declared his relief after receiving a positive reception from the British public and fans of the sport, writes Nicola Bamford.

The 34-year-old 100m specialist finished second in the 150m event at the annual Great Manchester CityGames behind two-time World 200m bronze-medallist Wallace Spearman of the USA in 15.27 to the victor’s 14.87, whilst British 150m record-holder Marlon Devonish was third with 15.37.

Admitting the racing experience on home turf left him with a feeling of relief, Chambers – who was recently declared fit to attempt qualification for this summer’s London Olympic Games following an original lifetime ban after a doping expansion dating back to 2003 – laid his emotions bare in a honest post-race stint with reporters: 

“Today was a great feeling – I wasn’t sure what kind of reception I was going to get and I got a good one so I’m happy,” he said.

“It was a lot of fun and a great atmosphere – being able to compete in front of a home crowd has been the missing piece in my puzzle for so long and having them so close was a great idea, so it was a nice experience.”

Clocking a 10.26 100m split during his exertions, the London-based runner continued:

“I’ll take that time - I’m in good shape and I’m better than the 10.52 (which he recorded in Puerto Rico last weekend) - dancing at the start was unusual for me yet it made it fun but I probably won’t do it next to (world 100m and 200m record-holder Usain) Bolt anytime!

“The crowd seemed genuine so I hope to continue to receive that kind of reception throughout the summer - I was scared beforehand to be honest.”

Optimistic

Comparing his days’ work to a somewhat cathartic experience, the father of two – with a 100m best of 9.97 from the 1999 season, where he took world 100m bronze - will face Bolt in Ostrava on Friday in a long-awaited return to the global international outdoor circuit.

A bronze medallist over 60m from March’s World indoor Championships in Turkey, Chambers explained:

“It will be a massive difference - the level of competition I’ve been running at for the last few years well, you’ve got to compete against the highest quality of athletes in order to be amongst the best.

“Now those opportunities are available to me, I’ve got to get my mind in a different mindset, going up against guys who are 9.8 runners and I haven’t been in that calibre for a long time.

“So I’ve got to make my mind sharp, get my moves quicker – the intensity increases, the pressure increases and your expectations increase as well - I’m looking forward to racing the fastest in the world more often now.”

Now working as an anti-drugs campaigner in schools in between his training, racing and travelling commitments, Chambers continued:

“I’m optimistic and happy but I can’t take for granted what I’ve had to endure because of my actions.

“It takes a bit of time (to digest and improve) – I had a lot of weight on my shoulders before so now that’s been lifted, I need to find something else to draw off and that’s what makes it difficult.”

Admitting that he has recently started seeing a sports psychologist in order to mentally recover from his Olympic fate upheaval, the UK indoor 60m and UK outdoor 100m champion revealed:

 “It’s definitely helping – I turned it down for a long time but boy, do I need it.

“I’ve taken it upon myself since I’ve been back (from training with former 100m world record-holder Asafa Powell in Jamaica) and it’s important for me – externally I look fine but internally it’s tough.

“I keep relaxed, socialising with the athletes and walking the streets to get a feel for how the public are with me but all those worries were put to one side once the crowd were cheering me on the start-line, it made it more relaxing for me to do my job.”

Special

Still ranked as the second-fastest British man of all-time, Chambers is understandably relieved to now have the chance to qualify for Team GB ahead of Augusts’ Olympic cauldron.

A former World and European indoor 60m champion, Chambers is unlikely to approach the form which saw him speed to a fourth-place finish in the 100m final in the 2004 Athens Games but he appears content at just having the opportunity to attend after missing the 2008 edition:

“A lot of people have said you must be over the moon but this is a road we’ve been travelling for nine years and I didn’t know what emotions I’ll be going through – it still hasn’t sunk in yet,” he explained.

“So for something to be going on for nine years, I can’t expect it to be normal after just two weeks – my kids haven’t got a clue what’s going on – they’re too young to understand but they’ve given me the boost to go out and perform.

“Today’s been a special day for me – I was nervous about the reception but it turned out really well - I’m just trying to get on with the athletes and do the best I can to perform.

“No chance did I ever think this time would come - it’s been hard mentally and I’m very grateful to have the chance to do my best in front of a home crowd – that’s something I’ve been waiting for a long time.

“I believe the momentum is definitely changing – my mind is at ease now – that’s one of the main things that was making it difficult to perform, you need a clear mind to perform but now I’ve got a free mind so I can concentrate on running and enjoy it.”

Assuming he qualifies for the British squad at the Olympic trials in Birmingham next month, Chambers – who was disqualified for a false-start in the semi-final stage of the World outdoor Championships last summer - continued:

“Once I can hopefully qualify for the team, that’s when it will all set in.

“I’m still on a rollercoaster, trying to find my feet and preparing for competitions I never expected to be in - now that I’ve got them, I’m enthusiastic, I’m feeling like a little kid again, I mean I’m 34!

“It’s nice to just be able to concentrate on one thing, running and I’d like my kids to come to watch in London – it will be a milestone in my career.”

Jackson Welcomes Invites

WRITTEN FOR SKYSPORTS

Enjoying a fresh batch of invitations to some of the top meetings across the globe, 800m runner Emma Jackson is relishing the new opportunities her pre-London form is attracting ahead of a potential Olympic debut, writes Nicola Bamford.

The 23-year-old Staffordshire runner has her eyes firmly set on a spot in Team GB for this summer’s Games in London and having already recorded two lifetime bests on the track, has got her 2012 campaign off to an impressive start.

Guided by Alan Morris in Stoke, Jackson opened her season in Doha earlier this month at the prestigious Diamond League event – her first invitation to such since a breakthrough year in 2011.

Storming to an eye-catching fifth place in a 1:59.37 personal best, Jackson now sits as eleventh the British all-time list and later went on to register a fine 4:11.54 clocking with victory at the Loughborough International last weekend:

“I'm thrilled to open my season with a PB and an Olympic ‘A’ Standard - it means that I don't have to chase the standard, just race the races and see what happens,” the 2007 European junior silver-medallist explained.

“It's such a good feeling to open with a PB - I knew I was training well but you never quite know how that will translate into a race until you get out there and do it.

“It (Doha) was a bit of a scary season opener but I think I perform best with a bit of fear in me sometimes! - If you ever need a kick up the backside in training, knowing you're going to be running against the best in the world is a good way to get it!

“My PB in Loughborough was nice as well - I didn't even feel like I'd raced at the end so I know there's a lot more to come there, it just proves to me that my endurance is better than ever and it gives me an extra confidence boost going into these next few races.”

Consistent

Having now broken the two-minute barrier on four occasions – the first in August last year – Jackson is excited in becoming a now regular feature on the top-tier international circuit.

Admitting that she sometimes has to pinch herself at such opportunities, the 2010 Commonwealth fourth-placer will next compete in Hengelo on Sunday and another Diamond League in Rome four days later.

“This year, I'm hoping to get more consistent around 1.59.00 and if I can  run closer to that and hopefully sneak under it, then I would be very happy,” Jackson revealed.

Mentored by 2004 double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, Jackson is surprised by her recent form due to giving spent much of the winter plagued by injuries:

“The winter was a bit of a disaster - I had a freak injury where I whacked my knee on my front door of my house and the resulting bone bruise meant I had six weeks of no running.

“It was so frustrating to injure myself that way and it lingered on and on and got to the point where the physio’s just told me to take painkillers and run through the pain, as it was literally just a bruise and I wasn't doing myself any harm.

“I pushed myself so hard trying to get back fit after the knee problem that I then strained my calf - it wasn't too bad but it meant another four weeks out when I'd already missed so much.

“I was so upset at the time but, unlike with my knee bruise, I could still aqua jog, bike and cross train with this injury - I spoke to Kelly as soon as I'd done it and she gave me some priceless advice on how to get the injury healed and how to stay fit, it worked wonders and somehow I came back fitter than before!”

Hunger

Having reached the semi-final stage of the World outdoor Championships in Daegu, South Korea last summer, the two-lap runner revealed how useful her first global senior championship experience had been:

“2011 was fantastic - going to the World’s definitely changed something inside me - it gave me a hunger to go to more and more of those major champs and I loved every second of Daegu.

“I also had a chance to go out on the European circuit quite a bit last year which was all fairly new to me - it was a real learning curve, going out to races abroad without Alan or my parents but I was fine and so I went out to Doha this year by myself.”

Determined to place inside the top two at next month’s Olympic trials in Birmingham, Jackson continued:

“My event is notoriously strong in Britain - I'm sure it will get very interesting as the season progresses and I know the trials will be tough whatever happens, so I just need to make sure I'm in the best shape I can be.”

Eager to make her Olympic debut in the British capital later this August, she explained:

“The Olympics are obviously at the forefront of everyone's mind all the time at the moment, though it's quite difficult in my event as there are currently four women with the 800m ‘A’ standard and only three places on the team.

“I want to be one of those three like you wouldn't believe but I've not let myself presume that I'm going to be one of them - I know I'm going to have to fight tooth and nail to get there and so I want to know I'm going to be there first before I start talking about my aims for the Olympics.

“I don't want to be an also-ran by any means but the trials come first and so I'm mainly focussing on them right now - I just don't want to get ahead of myself or get complacent and end up missing out.”