News Release Olympic Long Jump finalist and former Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jade Johnson will be competing at the NI & Ulster Championships at the Antrim Forum on 14th June. The event is sponsored by Antrim Borough council and is jointly organised by the governing body, Athletics Northern Ireland and the Ulster Athletics Council. Last year Johnson (who will be 28 this week) proved that she was right back to form following a lengthy spell of injury. She finished second in the UK Championships to arch rival Kelly Sotherton, the bronze hepthalon medallist from both the Olympic Games and the World Championships. Both athletes have featured prominently in the media following a series of spats as to who is the best British long jumper.
Johnson has a PB of 6.80m from her 6th place in the 2004 Athens Olympics. This position reflected the fact that her event was one of the strongest in the Olympics- the competition was won by Lebedeva of Russia with the first 3 jumping over 7 metres. Jade’s other major achievement was just missing out on a medal in the 2003 World Championships in Paris.
Some 3 weeks ago Jade took the Surrey? title in a classy jump of 6.56m proving that she is in the sort of form to catch the eye of the selectors for the Beijing Olympics in August. In addition she captured her 3rd Inter Counties title last weekend in Bedford. Afterwards Jade commented that her recent loss of lottery funding has in fact made her focus more intently on her event which she is enjoying more than in the past.
Another athlete competing at Antrim will be local javelin thrower Michael Allen. Like Johnson, Allen of Abbey AC has also emerged from a long period of injury which started shortly after his new NI record of 79.55 metres set in the championships 2 years ago. Now back to full fitness Allen threw a very useful 76.38m when winning the Loughborough International in mid May-his best for 2 years. He also followed this up with a win at the Bedford Games throwing 74.75m. His competition at Antrim will include GB Junior International James Campbell who recently took the British Universities title of 73.70m.
Information on the event including timetable from www.niathletics.org
Further information from:
Clare McCoy: PRO Athletics NI- 02890 602707 / 07841804032
Brian Hill Mob: 07815069697
