Iwan Thomas: Nicola Sanders right for GB Olympics team
Sportsdesk • Published 8 Feb 2012 09:00
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NO ONE deserves an appearance at London 2012 more than Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow Athletics Club sprinter Nicola Sanders, according to Olympic silver medalist Iwan Thomas.
It's no secret that Sanders' career has been blighted with injury since she announced herself on the global stage with World Championship silver - behind fellow Brit Christine Ohuruogu - in 2007.
It's been setback after setback since then and a semi-final exit at last year's World Championships completed a four-year barren spell without a single major final appearance, let alone a medal, to her name.
Sanders faces stiff competition simply just to reach London 2012 with reigning Olympic champion Ohuruogu, Lee McConnell and Shana Cox all ending last year ranked above her.
But after years of frustration, Thomas has his fingers crossed Sanders gets the chance to pull on the British vest in front of a home crowd this summer.
"You will be hard tasked to find someone who has had a worse time with injuries than Nicola," said Thomas.
"But she has shown great strength in continuing to come back from that and has played her part in the women's 400m team being so strong.
"It used to be all about the men but right now the women are showing just what they can do too and that is fantastic.
"Nicola is a huge part of that and her determination rubs off on the other girls because she has really put the work in.
"She deserves a run out at London 2012 for everything she has been through and I for one expect her to be involved."
Sanders may be limited to just a relay spot in London but will be targeting a medal in the 4x400m should she be selected, having reached the podium on four occasions as part of a British quartet.
The last of those was bronze at the 2010 European Championships in Barcelona, and Thomas believes it will be the women and not the men who add to Britain's medal haul this summer.
"The women's 4x400m team is really strong at the moment and I think the girls have a really good chance of doing something special at London 2012," he Thomas.
"Having a leader and an experienced head in a relay team is very important and for Nicola to step up and be that leader shows what kind of character she has."
Iwan Thomas was speaking at the Fareham leg of the 'nearest & dearest' roadshow in partnership with P&G - supporting family and friends of all Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes in the lead up to London 2012.
Visit www.pgproudsponsorofmums.co.uk for more information.
This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 07 Feb 12
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