The gamble of doing long jump and hurdles didnt pay off. I qualified easily on 13th july with 6.44m. The same in the sprint hurdles morning of 15th july, winning my heat with 14.71secs into -1.7wind.

On the evening of 15th July LJ final and jumped 6.57m, winning jump 6.88m, as really tried and was getting excellent height but l couldnt hold it and my leg keeps coming down too quick. A quote from an American coach "sit in the seat for longer".

Hurdles final 16th july 10.25am, my body just felt like I've been beaten up. If i knew I was going to be so tired I would have just done a few jumps as I was guaranteed a medal after the 1st round anyway. To add to my nightmare the wind got worse and as the smallest in the field it didnt looked good running into -2.8wind, I came 4th in my main event running 15.19secs, with 3rd 15.16secs, not happy.

I went out that night and had a beer for the 1st time in weeks to forget and focus on relay the next day. The Americans had been talking about winning every relay race etc. Sunday 17th july around midday, felt good and told the GB team that I wished my hurdles were today. A few practices with the team and I ran the 1st leg. Aim is making sure I didn't lose ground the American, handover to Darren Scott and knew we had it the bag because by the time he gave it to Mark Dunwell we were in the lead. We had 2m once last leg Jason Carty had it but the American Michael Godbout, winner of my hurdles race, gave chase getting to his shoulder before Jason openned up his legs in last 20m to win in 43.42secs. Ok they got us back 5mins later when their M35 team took our world record.

LJ - bronze.
Gold medal 4x100 relay team M40.

Joe A