Turner staying confident (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Turner staying confident

3:46pm Thursday 31st May 2012 in Sport

Andy Turner is in confident mood ahead of next month’s Olympic trials despite feeling the breath of Britain’s young hurdlers on his neck, writes Barrie White.

The 31-year-old World Championship bronze medalist has been hindered by an Achilles problem so far in 2012 and is yet to find top gear – his 13.41 second run at the European Club Championships in Portugal on Sunday was a season’s best but almost two tenths down on his personal best.

While he has been struggling, 20-year-old Andrew Pozzi has improved rapidly to get his best down to 13.35, while 22-year-old Lawrence Clarke is also in form and snapping at their heels.

But Turner is confident he will be firing on all cylinders at the trials in Birmingham on June 22.

“I’m confident going into the Olympics and I know what I need to be doing,” he said.

“I’m feeling really good in terms of the Olympic trials, I just need to get a race nailed.

“I know I’m in decent condition but it’s about not making mistakes, which is what I am making at the moment.

“Sooner or later it will click and I’m feeling confident ahead of the Olympics, I just need to make sure it all goes right on the day.

“The injury is feeling fine, it’s not something that’s bothering me and I know I need to keep working hard as the Olympics get closer – as long as I keep doing that I’m happy.”

The top two finishers at the trials will guarantee themselves a place in TeamGB if they have clocked faster than the 13.52 A standard qualifying time this year, something Tuner, Pozzi and Clarke have all done.

Back the team and watch more than 750 British best athletes at the Aviva 2012 Trials in Birmingham from June 22-24. Visit uka.org.uk/aviva-se ries or call 0800 0556056.