10 March 2010

As the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team prepare for the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar to be held 12-14 March, Head Coach Charles van Commenee is has targeted a return of four medals.

Van Commenee tipped Dwain Chambers (Daniel Plummer), Jessica Ennis (Toni Minichiello), Jenny Meadows (Trevor Painter) and the men’s 4×400 metres relay team for podium finishes in Doha.

He said: "I am looking at individual progress between Berlin and Doha. We will have strong medal contenders and we always have a few who knock on the door.”

The mixed team, made up of experienced representatives and promising newcomers to the world stage, guarantees an exciting first international of 2010 with medal prospects and the intrigue of Aviva GB&NI debuts.

Along with the podium potentials, British record holders Greg Rutherford- (Dan Pfaff) and indoor Kate Dennison (Steve Rippon) could challenge their own standards in the long jump and pole vault respectively, while Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Michael Khmel) will look to continue fine form set so far this year in the 60m.

2008 Olympic high jump finalist Tom Parsons (Fuzz Ahmed) and European Indoor 4 x 400m silver medallist Richard Buck (Michael Khmel) return to GB action after injuries in 2009. While GB&NI regular Helen Clitheroe (Trevor Painter) finds a new lease of life returning to the 1500m after several successful years in the 3000m steeple chase.

Parsons said: “I’m looking forward to be being part of a great team. From an event perspective it’s great for high jump as a whole with three of us going and especially with a female team member.

“This is my first World Indoors and my target is to make the final, although I know my coach’s goal is top five. Having made the final in my last two major Championships I know how hard that can be. I think somewhere around 2:32m will medal – could even win it – and I know on a good day I’ve got that in me, but then everyone has – that’s what makes it such a good competition.”

No less than nine athletes make their international senior debut including Luke Lennon-Ford (Roger Walters), Vikki Hubbard (Graham Ravenscroft), Charlotte Best (George Gandy) and Vicky Griffiths (Stan Roberts). All will gain valuable competition and team experience lead by Meadows as captain.

For news from the IAAF World Championships visit- www.uka.org.uk