Williamson on track

Lewis-Francis "feeling positive" after hamstring problem in 2011

Simeon Williamson hopes to put his injury nightmare behind him when he starts his bid for an Olympic place at the Aviva Grand Prix next month.

The 26-year-old, who beat Dwain Chambers to the 2009 UK 100 metres title, has missed virtually the entire last two years with a serious knee injury.

However the Londoner is now back and ready to compete against the likes of Asafa Powell and Kim Collins over 60m at the NIA in Birmingham on February 18.

He will also go up against Mark Lewis-Francis, one of his rivals for a place on the Great Britain team for this summer's Games on home soil.

"I'm raring to go this year," he said. "I had knee surgery which caused me to miss the 2010 season and most of 2011, but I'm fit and healthy now and I can't wait to get out there.

"The indoor season is really important to my development this year, it's been a while since I've really been out on the racing circuit but now that it's 2012 I want to be in top form and that's only going to come from getting out there and racing.

"I want to succeed in 2012, I want to do well at the Olympics, but I'm not really one for talking. I just want to get out there and show that I can do it with my performances on the track.

"I'm looking forward to competing at the Aviva Grand Prix, the crowd is always really enthusiastic and that makes a big difference. I'm pumped to get out on the track, I've been training with Asafa in Jamaica and I'm looking forward to racing him. Hopefully I can pull out a great performance."

Injury issues

Lewis-Francis is also coming back from injury issues - he hurt his hamstring at last year's Aviva Grand Prix and missed out on an individual place at the World Championships.

The 29-year-old has confirmed he will open his 2012 campaign at the Aviva International Match in Glasgow on January 28.

"I'm feeling positive about the year ahead. I had a good year in 2010, winning silver medals in the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games, but injury held me back in 2011," he said.

"I hope 2012 will be another good year and free of injury. In sport you never know what's going to happen next, so I'm feeling excited about what's to come."




Last Updated: January 18, 2012 7:07pm
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