20th May 2010

Dobriskey Targets Trials

20 May 2010

Two of Great Britain’s finest middle distance runners Lisa Dobriskey and Hannah England are taking to the track at the Aviva European Trials and UK Championships to fight for their place at the European Championships in Barcelona.

World Championships silver medallist Dobriskey has endured an unfortunate amount of injuries but she has managed to peak perfectly for major championships. Her success on the track proves her to be one of the best in the world, most notoriously her gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Dobriskey won a silver medal in the 1500 metres at the World Championships last year and, having only just celebrated her 26 birthday will again be a genuine contender when the Olympics come to London in 2012 – an aim that is sure to be in her sights following her narrow miss on winning a medal in Beijing, walking away in fourth place.

Dobriskey said: "During the past two seasons I have made an impact on the world stage and I am looking forward to continuing my progress this year when I’ll be hoping for a good run in Barcelona at the European Championships.

“Before that I’m excited about competing at the Aviva European Trials and UK Championships in Birmingham. It’s always a fantastic weekend when the real athletics fans come out to support the home-grown talent."

England, one of GB’s young hopes, took the bronze medal over 1500 metres at the Aviva World Trials and European Championships in Birmingham last year but missed out on a spot at the World Championships in Berlin with Dobriskey, Steph Twell and Charlene Thomas attending in the highly competitive field in the 1500 metres. However her year ended on a high note receiving a second place at the World Athletics Final, ahead of Dobriskey.

The 23-year-old showed great form throughout the indoor season at the beginning of this year, winning the mile at the Millrose Games in New York followed by a new personal best in Boston and will be hoping for success in Birmingham in June to ensure her inclusion and success at the European Championships.

England said: “I’ve been out in America for the majority of the indoor season and have had results that overall I’ve been happy with. I think this sets me up well for the rest of the year; I have a real ambition this year to improve and reach certain targets which I think is important when there is such a great field of athletes coming through in my discipline.

“I look forward to competing at Birmingham – I used to study there so it has a special place in my heart– there is always a fantastic atmosphere with brilliant crowds who will push you to run faster.

Olympic gold medallist, Dame Kelly Holmes, has been a significant influence on England’s career with the middle distance runner being mentored by her but obviously places importance on learning from her more experienced peers.

She said: “Lisa [Dobriskey] is a fantastic influence on me, I watched her do so well at the World Championships and it’s my aim to compete at the same level – obviously it’s not long until 2012 and I really want to do well there and will be doing everything possible in the next two years to make sure that happens.”

Tickets for the Aviva European Trials and UK Championships at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, on 25th – 27th June are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online at www.uka.org.uk