05 March 2011

The second morning of competition at the European Indoor Championships in Paris delivered five qualifications for the Aviva GB&NI team, four of which came from the 60m entries and one from Captain Clitheroe in the 3000m.

Both British 60m girls progressed to the next stage of competition in relatively modest times compared to their seasons best performances from the Aviva Series. Jodie Williams (coach: Mike McFarlane) finished third in heat three with 7.31, not a patch on the 7.24 displayed at the Aviva Trials and UK Championships in Sheffield. While, Bernice Wilson (coach: George Skafidas) finished second in her heat in 7.30 and also saved some for the semi-final this afternoon. She has gone as fast as 7.25 set this indoor season.

The men’s 60m heats followed with Harry Aikines Aryeetey (coach: Michael Khmel), Joel Fearon (coach: Michael Khmel) and Dwain Chambers (coach: self coached) lining up.

Debutant Fearon raced well and finished second to secure his next round. His time of 6.70 was faster than defending champ Chambers who raced a steady 6.71 to finish third and qualify in the last 60m heat of the day. It was local boy and European Champion Christophe Lemaitre (FRA) who ran fastest overall with 6.59, confirming he is the one to beat both indoors and outdoors at European level.

Aikines Aryeetey wasn’t quite up with the pace in the first heat, he failed get amongst the action out in lane one and finished sixth in 6.94.

“I am so so sorry to everyone one. Doha was playing on my mind and I let a little niggle in the same hamstring get to me. It scared me and I just saw myself on the floor in Doha so I didn’t push and I ran within myself.  I am always proud to be part of the Aviva GB&NI team and I want people to be proud of me and instead I’ve let them down. Our team talk was about taking opportunities and I didn’t do that. I am so sorry to everyone especially the doc and physio who have poured hours into me and to the fans.”

Team captain Helen Clitheroe (Coach: John Nuttall) continued her second lease of athletics life in the 3000m qualification. Taking on the front running after two laps, she ran a well paced and convincing race, creating a gap between herself, Layes Abdullayeva (AZE) and the rest of the pack. On the final straight she let Abdullayeva go ahead and reduced her pace, confident of qualification in second with 9:01.45.

Junior Holly Bleasdale (coach:Julien Raffalli-Ebezant) proved she is ready to jump against the best in Europe as she put out a gutsy qualification performance in the pole vault. Coming in at 4.15m she then cleared 4.35m with room to spare before failing once at 4.45m. Jumping to equal her personal best of 4.50m, which was only set this indoor season, was slightly out of reach and her competition ended there.

“I just felt blocked at 4.45m, I put myself under too much pressure but when I got it I was so excited. At 4.50m again I felt the block and couldn’t get passed that. It’s great being with the team, to come out against top girls is a great experience.

“There was a great standard I would have had to clear 4.55m to make the final which is 5cm better than my personal best. I want to jump 4.45m and 4.50m consistently.”

For results and competition information visit:http://www.paris-2011.com/

Coverage:

Saturday 5 March

1300-1630, BBC One; 1630-1700, BBC Two

Sunday 6 March

1300-1730, BBC One; 1400-1645 5 live sports extra