Sanders back on track for Olympics

Published on Thursday 24 July 2008 10:59

NICOLA SANDERS believes the renewal of her rivalry with Christine Ohuruogu at the Aviva London Athletics Grand Prix will indicate what she can expect to achieve at the Olympics.

Injury has restricted the 400 metres world silver medallist to just three appearances this season and Sanders is eager to accumulate time on the track before heading for Beijing.

The 26-year-old will resume her duel with Ohuruogu this weekend and is confident she has returned to full fitness at the crucial stage.

"Preparations for Beijing are going well but I really need a race because I haven't had one for a few weeks now," she said ahead of the meeting at Crystal Palace, which was hit by the withdrawal of injured world 100m champion Tyson Gay last night.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what sort of shape I'm in, which is something Crystal Palace will tell me. Since early in the year, I've had hamstring and knee problems which I've needed injections for, and then suffered a slight quad strain.

"That put me out for a few months so I started my season at the end of June, which is a bit later than I had planned to. Now I'm back on track though, have got some good training done and want to get back racing."

Last year, her season was blighted by knee and Achilles problems but she was still able to win her world silver medal in Osaka with a personal best.