Britain’s Sayers justifies pulling out of Commonwealth Games
Goldie Sayers of Great Britain stands by her decision to pull out of the javelin competition at the XIX Commonwealth Games this year in Delhi, India. The 28-year-old champion of Cambridge, England, is taking time off to recover from a fractured hip she suffered while winning her eighth consecutive UK Championship back in June.
BBC Sports reports Sayers reasoning that, “I could quite easily go there and be very average, but it's not something I want to do at a major championship. Especially when you're representing your country.”
The Brit hardly settles for mediocre, most prestigiously breaking the British record at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with her 65.75m throw, earning her fourth place in world rankings. Yet her performances in international tournaments – such as the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships – have been surprisingly inconsistent compared to local events, varying greatly. In a push to find a world-class winning form, Sayers stresses that her injury in June is actually beneficial to her in the long-run. “In some ways it could have been a blessing in disguise,” she reflects. “I've ironed out some things I probably wouldn't have had time to do before winter training starts. But obviously when the Commonwealths start I'll be quite frustrated.”
For Sayers, taking time between tournaments is essential for her to return to full fitness. “I'm never unmotivated,” she insists, “but having 2012 around the corner is a huge pull. I remember Athens quite vividly and then being in the Bird Nest Stadium [in Beijing] seems like a year ago rather than two years. 2011 will be critical in how you plan for the following year, so having a successful 2011 is crucial for your preparation for 2012.”
With Sayers’ claiming that she has already reached an 80 per cent fitness recovery, there is little doubt she will be ready for the 2012 team. In the meantime, 18-year-old Izzy Jeffs of England will take her place for the Delhi Games this fall.
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