23rd June 2012

Aviva 2012 Trials Day 2

23 June 2012

Day two at the Aviva 2012 Trials saw 11 athletes gain pole position in their quest for places at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Adam Gemili (Michael Afilaka), Sophie Hitchon (Derek Evely), Dai Greene (Malcolm Arnold), Jack Green (Malcolm Arnold), Christine Ohuruogu (Lloyd Cowan), Shana Cox (Lloyd Cowan), Tiffany Porter (James Henry), Andy Baddeley (Andrew Hobdell), Ross Murray (Craig Winrow), Greg Rutherford (Dan Pfaff) and Steve Lewis (Dan Pfaff) look set to receive the selectors nod to be nominated to Team GB on 2 July.

A packed Alexander Stadium witnessed a day of pulsating track and field action – one that will go down in athletics history.

Hammer thrower Hitchon became the first athlete of the day to be potentially on her way to London 2012. A distance of 69.79m was enough to win the national title for the second consecutive year.

“It’s a bit unreal at the minute,” she confessed. “I wanted to come out here and come first or second and that’s what happened. It’s all a bit surreal at the moment. I think when July 3rd comes around and my name is on the sheet then it’s going to be more real then.”

Although beaten by Dwain Chambers in the men’s 100m final, young sprint sensation Gemili’s second place finish was enough to seal the deal for the former footballer.

“I haven’t decided yet (on London 2012),” said Gemili. “I would say that it’s quite likely but I’ll have to speak with my coach first. I’m not officially a senior – I’ve still got this year as a junior – but next year I feel like I can make the transition well.

“Today just felt like I had to stay with them and not get beaten too badly or shown up, so I think I did alright.”

A season’s best for Chambers of 10.25 keeps the Belgrave Harriers’ Olympic dream alive, while James Dasaolu (Kevin Tyler), who has the required current Olympic A standard, had to settle for third.

“In a situation like this I have to draw on my experience and that’s what enabled me to win today,” said Chambers.

“I don’t want to let my guard down yet. I’ve still got to get that qualifying time and I’d rather get it from merit rather than the selectors giving me an opportunity. I’d rather go out there and achieve it, and I believe I can do that.”

Dasaolu was disappointed not to gain automatic selection.

“I just missed out on the second spot so I’m not really too happy about that but it’s still good to get top three,” he said.

“I’ve got an A standard already so I’ve just got to leave it in the hands of the selectors. I’m disappointed I just missed out on the second spot.”

It was double delight for hurdles coach Malcolm Arnold OBE as two of his athletes World Champion Greene and Green claimed first and second spots in the 400m hurdles final.

Greene later admitted it was a welcome relief to finish in the top two.

“I’m just happy to get away with the victory. A few people fell and a lot of people were hitting hurdles so it wasn’t very easy out there.

“It’s nice to get it out of the way I’d say because I want to make the team. If a few things go wrong you could be out the mix but it’s nice to seal my place. I think I’m well over the virus now. To be honest I wanted to run a bit faster but it just wasn’t there today. Maybe I was a bit complacent and went out at the speed of the guys outside of me.”

Reigning Olympic champion Ohuruogu and her training partner Cox look set to compete in the Olympic Stadium in August with their one and two finishes respectively in the 400m final.

“The race was alright,” said Ohuruogu. “My coach will tear it apart but it was ok. London’s very close.”

“I’m happy,” enthused Cox. “I’m excited, the weekend went well. I think I executed both races well so it’s looking good going into the next few weeks.”

In-form Rutherford maintained his excellent 2012 summer season with a jump of 8.12m to win the long jump. Chris Tomlinson (Frank Attoh) had to settle for third. “I’m not particularly happy to be honest but I’m still getting over an illness after Rome,” said Rutherford. “I felt great and ready to go, I’ve qualified now and I’m looking forward to the Games.”

Jessica Ennis (Toni Minichiello) wowed the crowd was another 100m hurdles masterclass to beat specialist Tiffany Porter into second place to win the national title. She also gains automatic selection for the 100m hurdles. The British heptathlon record holder also won the high jump for the second consecutive year.

“It was a great race,” said Ennis. “To win it was brilliant. To know that I’m in good shape and things are moving forward is great.”

5.50m was enough for Lewis to win the men’s pole vault and it was a job well done for the Stoke athlete.

He added: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I had a job to do today to come here and win and did that so I’m really happy. I’m feeling good, healthy, I’m in shape. I’ve just got to keep plugging away, I’ve got a good July lined up and keep building to the Olympics.”

The men’s 1500m went according to the current A form book with Baddeley and Murray posting a one two finish and both were happy with their days work.

“I feel relieved more than anything else,” said Baddeley. “It’s been a long road over the last 12 months and this is part two of part three. Part one was get the time; part two was the trials; part three is the Olympics. I haven’t been able to think about the Olympics until today. Now I can train harder!”

Murray added: “You’re always going to be nervous going into it, whoever you are. I know I’m in shape and a good racer and I put that into practice then, it’s all good for the Games.”

The finals of the women’s 100m and 800m proved to be inconclusive for Games places. Lynsey Sharp (David Sunderland) in the 800m and Ashleigh Nelson (Michael Afilaka) in the 100m won the national titles.

There were also national titles for Eden Francis (Glenys Morton) in discus and shot put, javelin for Lee Doran (John Davies), Larry Achike triple jump, Luke Gunn (Bud Baldaro) in the 3000m steeplechase and finally 10,000m honour for Caryl Jones.

Aside from finals on day two of the Aviva 2012 Trials, a number of athletes secured their passage into tomorrow’s finals. Olympic hopefuls Eilidh Child (Malcolm Arnold), Perri Shakes-Drayton (Chris Zah), Martyn Rooney (Nick Dakin), Nigel Levine (Linford Christie), Andrew Osagie (Craig Winrow), Michael Rimmer (Norman Poole), Gareth Warburton (Darrell Maynard), Lisa Dobriskey (Ricky Soos) and Laura Weightman (Steve Cram) all progressed to day three of the Aviva 2012 Trials.

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Aviva 2012 Trials Day 2