13th June 2012

FRATER TO USE AVIVA LONDON GRAND PRIX TO ACCLIMATISE BEFORE OLYMPICS

13 June

 Jamaican 100m sprinter and Beijing gold medallist Michael Frater is aiming to use the Aviva London Grand Prix on 13-14 July to acclimatise to the conditions he is likely face at the Olympics this summer.

Frater will swap the warm climes of the Caribbean for the unpredictable British weather, as he lines up against a world-class field, just two weeks before the Games begin. Frater will be hoping to repeat the form of his last visit in 2008, when he ran a PB of 10.00.

“I’m really excited about coming to Crystal Palace in July – I haven’t competed at the Aviva London Grand Prix for four years, so it’s going to be really interesting to test myself against the conditions I am likely to face if I secure selection for the Olympic Games this summer.

“The London Diamond League always seems to attract a world-class line-up, and I’m sure this year will be no different. It is two weeks before the Olympic Games and I see this as a real opportunity to test myself against the best and give the crowd a real taste of what’s to come in the following few weeks.

“I know that the further the season goes on, I will get better and better – I proved this when I set a personal best in Lausanne last year. I have no doubt that when the Aviva London Grand Prix comes around in July, I will be on the top of my game.”  

Before the Aviva London Grand Prix, Frater will be faced with the gruelling task of coming up against a formidable line-up in the Jamaican Trials at the end of this month.

As the sixth fastest Jamaican in the world this year, Frater will have to be at his very best if he is to secure a spot in the 100m team.

“Before London, I’ve have to make sure I’m fully prepared and at my best for the Jamaican Trials. I am under no illusions; the Trials will be one of the toughest races in my career. With [Usain] Bolt, [Asafa] Powell, [Yohan] Blake, [Nesta] Carter, [Lerone] Clarke, [Nickel] Ashmeade, [Jacques] Harvey all in the mix for selection, I have to make sure whatever they run, I have to go even quicker.”

Personal glory aside, Frater will also be looking to continue his unprecedented record in the 4x100m relay team. Following a world record winning performance in Beijing, Frater was a part of the team that won gold in the 2009 and 2011 World Championships – the latter being another world record time of 37.04.

With the hunger for medal glory still burning strong in Frater, the 29 year old has set his sights on an unprecedented fourth successive medal at major championships. 

“I have both personal and team ambitions for the Olympics this summer. Obviously individual gold is in my thoughts, but I also have ambitions to successfully defend the relay title we [Jamaica] won four years ago in Beijing.”

Back the team and watch the world’s best athletes in action at the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on 13-14 July 2012. #backtheteam

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