Delloreen looks to give JA first 100m hurdles Olympic medal

BY RAYMOND GRAHAM, Freelance Writer

TRADITIONALLY, ONE of Jamaica's strongest events at the world level is the women's 100 metres hurdles, and come this summer at the Olympic Games in Beijing the trend is set to continue as Jamaica will be well represented in this area.

One of those athletes who is expected to represent Jamaica in Beijing is 33-year-old Delloreen Ennis-London. Once she remains injury free, the veteran should nab one of the three qualifying spots at the National Championships in June while seeking to make it three Olympics in a row.

After finishing fourth in Sydney, Australia, in 2000 and missing the final four years later by a whisker in Athens, Greece, she is hoping to go all the way this time.

After an early-season injury, the former St Jago High athlete has competed in two meets, so far, with some success. At the Jamaica International Invitational she finished second in 12.75. A week later she also finished second at the Martinique Grand Prix in a season best of 12.54 seconds where she was beaten by world leader Damu Cherry of the United States, who won in 12.47 seconds. Despite running close to her personal best of 12.50 seconds, done in Osaka last year where she was third in the final of the World Championships, it has not been rosy for Ennis-London.

There were serious doubts about her competing in Jamaica as she was troubled by a hamstring injury.

"Going into the Jamaica meet I did not feel all that well as I had a mild hamstring strain and I did not get to train properly for two weeks before the meet. I had doubts competing as all I could do was some starts," she said.

She was fortunate, however, as renowned chiropractor, Andy Miller, was able to assist her.

"Andy told me it was a blocked nerve and he worked on it and released the pain just before I competed. Although it was sore and tender during my warm up, I felt better," she added.

Despite finishing second in Kingston, Ennis stated she could have gone much faster but that she was playing it safe.

"After finishing I felt good with my time and I was very hopeful going into the Martinique meet," she said.

"I was very happy with my time at the Martinique meet, seeing that was my second race and I was very competitive with Cherry up to the last hurdle before she found something extra going to the finish line where she edged me out. Following that race, I was very confident that I could surpass my personal best very soon.''

With her main local rival Brigitte Foster-Hylton doing extremely well in Doha the following day, running 12.56, Ennis-London was asked if she enjoys the competition with her.

"I am not focussing on any challenge with Brigitte as, at the moment, I am doing my own thing and she is doing her own thing," she replied bluntly.

Ennis-London, Foster-Hylton, Vonette Dixon and Lacena Golding-Clarke have all been carrying the Jamaican flag high in the 100 metre hurdles. Ennis-London was asked what kept her and the others going.

"We are veterans and we have been there and done that. We know what it takes to prepare for a meet and to be successful and as long as we remain injury free, we have many years still to go," she replied.

Ennis, who was in tears in Athens when she barely missed the final, is determined to go all the way this time around.

"I am very excited about Beijing and I am hoping to make history by giving Jamaica a medal in this event," she stated.

Ennis said that her first priority will be the National Champion-ships but before this she will be competing in two Grand Prix meets.

"My plan now is to go to these two meets and do well before the trials and after the trials I will be focusing hard on the Olympic Games," she concluded.