21st August 2015

Rooney, Proctor & Porter Confident Ahead Of Beijing Bow

21 August 2015 


The 62-strong British Athletics team will begin its campaign at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing tomorrow and Martyn Rooney (coach: Rana Reider), Shara Proctor (Reider) and Tiffany Porter (Reider) are in buoyant mood. 

Rooney, who stormed to an impressive European 400m gold last summer in Zurich, will lead the line as team captain, a duty which is a huge privilege for the 28 year old.

“It’s an honour to represent your country and then to captain your country is another step again. In an individual sport it’s maybe not as important as in football or rugby, but if I can try and lead by some kind of example then I’ve done my job. 

“(In my speech) I tried to get everyone to focus on the World Championships themselves and performing in the Bird’s Nest. The main objective was to get them to concentrate on one thing – winning.

Proctor meanwhile heads to the Bird’s Nest ranked third in the world in the long jump courtesy of a 6.98m jump at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games in London last month. The mark, which extended her previous British record by three centimetres has given her the motivation to get amongst the medals in the Far East.

On her hopes for Beijing, the British record holder explained: “I always come to a major championships with a goal in mind and this time is no different to other times. I am going to get a medal this time, I’m more focused than ever. I’ve got a different mindset than last year and more confident than ever.”  

In one of the most competitive events of the championships, Porter has her eyes on a ‘special’ performance as the reigning world bronze medallist looks to get amongst the medals once again. Porter, whose sister Cindy Ofili will join her in the 100m hurdles will be looking to mix it with a strong field, which includes an American team containing world champion Brianna Rollins and world leader Sharika Nelvis.

The three-time world medallist said: “I’m fit, healthy and confident, more so than I’ve ever been before so I think some very special things are in store. I’ve been doing this for a few years, so hopefully this will be a good chance for me.

There will be updates on the British Athletics website and Twitter where access allows and you can also tune into BBC coverage. Full listings can be found here: www.bbc.com/sport/0/athletics/15971129

For all the latest startlists and timetables, please visit:http://www.iaaf.org/home