Christian Malcolm: “For any athlete right now, it is the ability to train which is the challenge, and travelling, so the safest option is just to stay focused on the end goal, which for a lot of athletes is the Olympics”
Last Updated: 22/02/21 11:25pm
Katarina Johnson-Thompson is at the moment out with an Achilles downside
British Athletics head coach Christian Malcolm has no doubts that Katarina Johnson-Thompson will be match and firing in time for the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer season.
The world champion heptathlete has been sidelined by an Achilles downside, and is one among numerous large names lacking from Malcolm’s 41-strong British squad for subsequent month’s European Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland.
Malcolm admitted he didn’t know if Johnson-Thompson – who plans to return to coaching subsequent month – would have taken half within the indoor season if not for the damage, however insisted there have been no issues over a much bigger setback.
“We know she has picked up a bit of an injury,” Malcolm stated. “The main focus for her has always been the Olympic Games.
“For any athlete proper now, it’s the means to coach which is the problem, and travelling, so the most secure choice is simply to remain targeted on the tip purpose, which for lots of athletes is the Olympics.”
Asked if the problem might dent the 28-year-old’s hopes of gold this summer, Malcolm added: “From what I do know in regards to the damage, at this second, not likely.
“For her, it is just about having more time to focus on the Olympics without any indoor distractions.
“I’ve no doubts about her being 100 per cent [in Tokyo]. But I haven’t got a crystal ball, so I can not go on the market saying issues would possibly occur.
“I have no doubts at the moment, and there is not much more I can say about that. The ultimate thing is she has picked up this injury, she has decided to not do the indoors so she can focus on preparations for the Olympic Games.”
Keely Hodgkinson is likely one of the rising stars of British athletics
Johnson-Thompson is one among a number of large names lacking from the squad for the European Indoors, with the absence of sprinters Dina Asher-Smith and Asha Philip that means Britain are with out an entry within the girls’s 60m.
Andrew Pozzi, Elliot Giles and Holly Bradshaw are among the many medal hopes, however with a number of children like Keely Hodgkinson – who set a brand new world U20 document within the girls’s 800m this season – additionally included, the squad is as a lot about potential as quick outcomes.
Malcolm stated: “I’ve not set a medal target. It’s an opportunity for these athletes to step up a level. It’s a great stepping stone, the European Indoors.”