OLYMPICS: England staying upbeat (From Oxford Mail)

OLYMPICS: England staying upbeat

9:20am Monday 16th July 2012 in Sport By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

HANNAH England believes she can still be competitive at the Olympics, despite missing six weeks of the season due to an Achilles injury.

The 25-year-old Oxford City ace only returned to action in Friday’s Aviva London Grand Prix where she finished last in the 1,500m, but she says there are grounds for optimism.

“I think I will probably come back in leaps and bounds,” said the world silver medallist.

“I will look at it like last year where I was injured, but came along quite quickly.

“I am sure I can do that again.”

England suffered a spike injury to her Achilles on May 27, which kept her out of the Olympic Trials.

It was two and a half weeks before England was able to do some light jogging, but she has fought her way back.

Having only worn spikes again for the first time on Thursday, she is now seeking to play catch up.

“I will race as much as my Achilles will let me,” said the former Cherwell School pupil.

“Hopefully, I will do the BMC (British Milers Club) race in Solihull next Saturday.

“Depending on how my Achilles is, I will do one more after that.”

England didn’t expect to run brilliantly on Friday and was well behind fellow Brits Laura Weightman and Lisa Dobriskey, who will join her in the 1,500m at London 2012.

But she remained philosophical.

“I just had to get on with it and give it a go,” said England. “You’ve got to start somewhere.”

It was another big day for England yesterday as she was kitted out in her Team GB kit.