NATHAN Douglas is determined to end a 12-year wait and qualify for the European Indoor Championships.
The Oxford City AC triple jumper, who won silver in 2007, eyes an eighth national title in Birmingham on Saturday as he attempts to earn automatic selection for one of athletics’ major events.
The 36-year-old knows he must finish in the top two with a jump in excess of 16.50m at this weekend’s British Indoor Championships to secure his place in the Great Britain team to compete in Glasgow from March 1-3.
If he does not meet both criteria, Douglas’s fate will lie at the discretion of the selectors.
But having come sixth at last year’s outdoor European Championships in Berlin, the hunger is certainly there to don a Great Britain vest again.
He said: “Competing for your country never gets old.
“I really want to go to Glasgow.
“The European outdoors gave me even more confidence that I can be competitive on that scene.
“If I qualify, there’s no-one in that competition I can’t beat, there’s nothing for me to be concerned about.”
He added: “I’m looking forward to this weekend.
"I love the British Championships and I love them even more when it’s in Birmingham – the indoor facility is the best in the world, I think it’s a great place to jump.”
Douglas is one of seven Oxfordshire athletes in action.
Clubmate Alice Hopkins has entered Saturday’s 60m hurdles and Sunday’s long jump.
The 20-year-old, who made her British debut at the Indoor Combined Events International Match in Cardiff last month, is not expecting to qualify for Glasgow.
But she has a personal target – a season’s best in the long jump after efforts of 5.97m and 5.99m this year.
“I’d like to get over six metres,” she said. “Hopefully that will happen.
“I’ve not managed to in the multi events and I think that’s because of the events before which take a lot out of your legs but I will be quite fresh, so fingers crossed.”
Oxford City’s Hannah England (1,500m), Ella Turner (400m) and Gemma Bridge (5,000m walk) are also in action.
Abingdon AC’s Ben Claridge competes in the 400m, with former Banbury Harriers sprinter Kyle Ennis lining up in the 60m and 200m.
WHEN OXFORDSHIRE ATHLETES WILL BE IN ACTION
Nathan Douglas – Triple jump, Saturday: 12.30pm (final).
Kyle Ennis – 60m, Saturday: 12.35pm (heats), 3.15pm (semi-final), 5pm (final). 200m, Sunday: 12.30 (heats), 3.10pm (semi-finals), 4.34pm (final).
Ella Turner – 400m, Saturday 1.15pm (heats), 5.45pm (semi-finals). Sunday: 3.58pm (final).
Ben Claridge – 400m, Saturday: 1.50pm (heats), 6pm (semi-finals). Sunday: 3.48pm (final).
Alice Hopkins – 60m hurdles, Saturday: 2.25pm (heats), 4.40pm (final).
Long jump, Sunday: 3.32pm (final).
Hannah England – 1,500m, Saturday: 6.15pm (heats). Sunday: 5.05pm (final).
Gemma Bridge – 5,000m walk, Sunday: 1.55pm (final).
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