McKie aims high

Published 29 Sep 2009 13:00 0 Comments

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Athletics

WINDSOR, Slough, Eton & Hounslow high jumper Alan McKie has set his sights on next year's Commonwealth Games despite enduring an injury-hit 2009 season, writes Nick Hartwell.

The 20-year-old had targeted the European Under-23 Championships this summer after impressing as a junior and representing GB at under-20 level and claiming the national title in the same age group.

But disaster struck last season, with McKie suffering a back injury that prematurely ended his season in June soon after he claimed silver at the England Under-23 Championships that month.

And while an appearance at Delhi 2010, which will get underway in exactly 12 months from this week (October 3) remains a huge ask for McKie, the ambitious youngster is setting the bar high.

"It has been such a frustrating year, especially as I got my injury from a mistake in training," said McKie.

"But the time I had away from the sport was great for my body and let me recharge the batteries, so I could come back fitter than ever.

"I'm looking to get a PB next year and who knows, maybe push for a place in the Europeans and Commonwealth Games.

"It may seem far away now, but who knows what will happen if I get the season off to a good start. I think about London 2012 every day and it really does inspire me to work harder. Everybody would love to compete for your country and it is something I really do aspire to."

McKie and fellow WSEH athlete Ben Reynolds have both benefitted from the help of the UKA Heroes project, sponsored by Original Source this year.

But like McKie - Reynolds' season has not gone as well as he would have like despite boarding the plane to Serbia for the European Junior Championships.

The 19-year-old failed to make the final of the 110m hurdles in Novi-Sad and admitted he will seek the best advice there is in a bid to change his fortunes next year.

"Malcolm Arnold who used to coach Colin Jackson and more recently David Greene saw me competing and he told me that he thinks I have got a lot of potential which was really encouraging to hear," said Reynolds.

"He wants me to come and do some training with him which would be great as he is one of the best coaches in the world."

UKA Heroes project sponsored by Original Source is a successful initiative which offers financial support to talented young athletes who are working towards the 2012 and 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 02 Oct 09

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