30 October 2009
Lagos — HARLOW AC runner Andrew Osagie has set his sights on next year's Commonwealth Games after being set back on track by double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.
The 21-year-old 800m runner was dealt a devastating blow in the New Year after hobbling out of pre-season training with a stress reaction in his left foot.
After a series pep talks with mentor Dame Kelly, Osagie bounced back to register a new lifetime best of 1:47.15minutes and cruise to the Commonwealth qualifying standard in the process.
And the St Mary's University student has vowed to repeat the trick next season in a bid to bag a place on the plane to Delhi.
"Dame Kelly gave me a real buzz by being there for me when I was injured and she was always checking up on me to see how I was getting on with the rehab," said Osagie, who was speaking at the latest 'On Camp with Kelly' get-together, supported by Aviva.
"She has proved in her career that it can be done and you can come back from Injuries. I would love to go out and run in India though as it doesn't get much better than going out an experiencing new cultures and running for your country so I'll be trying really hard to make the team in October.
"Everyone was saying how well I'd done last season but I've still got the hunger to keep improving and to get the times down. The Commonwealths would be great for someone of my age trying to break through."
Earlier this month Osagie received another boost when he joined 45 youngsters - including England Under-23 800m champion Tara Bird - in Birmingham for a cookery masterclass with celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, as part of Dame Kelly Holmes' mentoring initiative.
The day-long get-together was designed to educate athletes and young people attending university about the importance of good nutrition for physical and mental performance.
And Bird, who claimed bronze at this year's indoor UK Championships, has vowed to take her career to the next level and join the likes of World Championship bronze medallist Jenny Meadows on the senior international stage in 2010.
"I'm really looking forward to 2010 and I want to get off to a flying start with the world indoors in Doha in March," said Bird.
"I know it's going to be really tough next year because the 800m is so tough, we've got Jenny Meadows and my training partner Marilyn Okoro and so many others so it's really competitive.
"I think if I have a good year then the World Indoors in the 800m is a possibility, they're certainly more realistic than the European Championships.
"I want to go to as many champs as possible in the run up to 2012 so if I'm in form then I'll give it my all to get to the Commonwealth Games."
Aviva have been supporting On Camp with Kelly since 2004, providing the next generation of middle distance runners with the unique opportunity to be better prepared to reach their sporting goals.
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