Pavey uses Holmes as an inspiration

Published on Thursday 31 July 2008 23:58

JO PAVEY will draw inspiration from Kelly Holmes as she seeks to prove age is not a barrier to success in Beijing.

Pavey secured fourth place in the World Championships 10,000m in Osaka last year and has a reasonable chance of securing a podium finish in Beijing.

At 34, she is entering the twilight of her career but takes comfort from the knowledge Holmes was the same age when she won two Olympic golds in Athens. Holmes' presence and attitude has been a source of reassurance during time spent together at two previous Olympics and Pavey admits she will be missed.

"I spoke to Kelly quite recently. She was always an inspiration for me and when she was at the major championships she was so down to earth," she said.

"When she won the two golds in Athens she was chatting to everyone on the team and she was so supportive and brilliant.

"I found it difficult when she stopped competing – I found myself more stressed because she was so good at keeping you relaxed.

"She always sorted everything out as well – if something wasn't quite right she was there to fix it and look out for me. What she achieved in Athens was brilliant. She was always so focused, but able to flick a switch between competition and being off the track.

"I feel like I'm getting better and better. I'm getting older but my times aren't getting any worse. I'm still enjoying it and age is just a number. I still feel I can improve because I have started to do different events – stepping up to the 10,000m was like a new challenge and I have also started doing more road racing."

Pavey, who won Commonwealth silver in 2006, will draw on her experience in Osaka – and the pain at failing to finish with a medal – to drive her Olympic challenge.

"Things went quite well in Osaka. I was pleased with the performance but I was frustrated to miss out on a medal," she said. "One thing Osaka has done is keep my motivation going over the winter and I have been able to stay focused, but I'm not under any illusion how tough it will be.

"I know it will be hard, but between now and then I am doing everything I can to achieve that goal. And if I can stand on that start line knowing I have done everything in my powers I will be pleased. It will be a dream come true to get a medal."

Pavey has been selected for the 5,000m and 10,000m in Beijing but she leaves no doubt where her priorities lie.

"I'm definitely focusing on the 10,000m. My position on the 5,000m was that I would put my name there if there wasn't anyone else because I didn't want to prevent anyone from going," she said.

"The 10k is my priority and if I can I will do the 5k. Sometimes when you do a 10k you can hardly walk after it.

"But it is an Olympic Games and if there is an event where you can run and you are not injured then I will always go for it."