Great Britain defends lack of medals at Worlds

[rainbowgirl28]

Where was Janine Whitlock? She's banned from the Commonwealth Games, but she competed at outdoor worlds last year, so I would assume she was eligible for Indoors?





http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/4802606.stm

GB boss defends failure at Worlds

Douglas nearly pulled out of the triple jump because of injury
UK Athletics boss Dave Collins has defended the decision to send a depleted British team to the World Indoor Athletics Championships.
Many British athletes missed the Moscow event as they are in Australia preparing for the Commonwealth Games.

As a result Britain failed to win a medal for the first time in the event's 21-year history.

"Before we came I had in my head three finals - we just got that. In that respect I'm satisfied," said Collins.

"However, there are some people I'm satisfied with more than others."

Jimmy Watkins, Nathan Douglas and the women's 4x400m relay team were the only finalists from the 15-strong British squad.

Douglas, ranked third in the world last year, decided to put Moscow ahead of Melbourne, but after having an ankle operation and suffering a subsequent loss of form, he nearly pulled out.


I learned a hell of lot from being here - hopefully it has opened the door for me to get into some big meetings
800m finalist Jimmy Watkins

In the end he finished a creditable seventh and earned praise from Collins, who is the UK Athletics performance director.

"He's going to get a massive shot in the arm with confidence and do himself more justice," said Collins, who was also pleased with the performance of 800m runner Watkins.

"It's lovely to see," Collins said about Watkins' exploits. "Jimmy has got lots of skills and a lot of determination as well, so it's really nice to see how he performed."

Doubles was delighted to have shrugged off injury to reach the triple jump final.

"It was a gamble coming here but it came off," said Douglas, who competed despite his ankle problem.

"I've got to be pleased with 17.05m. It's given me a lift for the summer."

South African-born Welsh runner Watkins was a surprise finalist in the 800m, but he too said it had been a valuable learning experience, despite coming home in last place.

"It was one race too many - I have never run three races in three days before," he said.

"I learned a hell of lot from being here. Hopefully it has opened the door for me to get into some big meetings."

The British women's 4x400m relay team also gave reason for optimism.

Like Watkins, the quartet of Melanie Purkiss, Jennifer Meadows, Emma Duck and Helen Karagounis came last in their final, but smashed the UK record in their qualifier.