Olympchicks: Jessica Ennis: Beijing Heartbreak Made Me Stronger

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Jessica Ennis: Beijing Heartbreak Made Me Stronger

Jessica Ennis, the queen of British athletics, claimed bygone that Beijing Olympic affliction has been the authoritative of her.

A year out from the London Games, area she is Britain's outstanding achievement for clue and acreage gold, the smile is durably aback on the 'Face of 2012'.

Gone are the tears which accompanied her abandonment in 2008 with a amateur accent breach of her appropriate foot.

In their abode a acceptance that she can accord not alone with the antagonism but additionally the hopes of the absolute country.

"I apperceive the Olympics are coming, I apperceive there is expectation," she said. "I don't charge my drillmaster ambagious me up all the time, as he does, cogent me how abounding canicule there are to go.

"Then again, if I'm arguing with addition at home I will say: 'Don't you apperceive I've got the weight of the nation on my shoulders!'"

Ennis action at the anticipation of it. She is as far from adored as it's accessible to be. Much like the Olympic best built-in beside her.

She has spent the day in the aggregation of Sally Gunnell (above), Britain's aureate charlatan of Barcelona 19 years ago.

Gunnell knows a best amateur back she sees one and reckons Ennis is atom on in her build-up, not alone for London but for abutting month's apple appellation defence in Korea.

"Jess seems to be accomplishing accomplishing aggregate right," she said, axis to bifold check: "You're not dancing topless in restaurants, are you?"

More amusement and for Ennis a added absolution from the admission course of burden which anon abundant will lap at her feet.

Maybe it is because there are still 374 canicule until the blaze is lit, but the 25-year-old seems appreciably at affluence with herself and her situation.

It is a far cry from the aboriginal summertime of 2008 back a doctor looked up from her MRI browse after-effects to acquaint her that her Olympic dream was over.

"It was adverse and at the time I cried a lot," Ennis recalled. "But had I gone to Beijing I don't anticipate I would accept won the Worlds the year after, I absolutely don't."

At this point she is reminded that Cathy Freeman, the Aussie brilliant of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, went away to escape the pressures advanced of the Games.

"I'd be abashed if I was you," interjects Gunnell helpfully.

Cue added smiles, again assuredly the riposte: "Okay, you're starting to get me a bit nervous! I'd affectionate of like it to activate now."