19 March 2008

One of Britain’s most promising sprint stars, Alex Nelson, 19, is setting his sights on a big outdoor season with an eye on Beijing and beyond.

This afternoon at Malbank School & Sixth Form College, Stoke based Alex Nelson led a SPAR Sprints Master Class for young athletes.

Nelson, who has had a fantastic career as a junior sprinter, showed the way in a session that included a warm up routine, technical guidance, sprint drills and several relay games.

Nelson was taking a break from a busy training schedule that sees him train locally three days a week in Stoke as well as three days at the Birmingham High Performance Athletics Centre.  Training has really stepped up for Nelson since he was part of the Norwich Union GB Team at his first senior World Championships in Osaka last August and he plans to continue his upward curve.  

“All my training is geared towards Beijing qualification, then hopefully to go out there and to do as well as possible.  A medal would be amazing, but so to would be to show significant improvement. I feel I am young enough yet to make a few major championships over the coming years”

Nelson, who up to the age of 15 was a goalkeeper at the Stoke Football Academy, is also right behind Stoke’s chances of getting into the Premiership for next season saying,

“We are all aware they are doing really well this season. For Stoke and to get promotion this year would be fantastic for the city and seeing the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium would be incredible for the fans. I wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season”

Nelson added: “This SPAR Sprints Master Class is exactly what these young kids need.  Athletes in our position have to help attract as many kids as possible to the sport. If this can encourage even one young athlete to join their local club then it’s been a huge success.”