JESSICA Ennis says she will laugh her way through the pressure in the build up to this summer’s Olympic Games in London.
Even after relinquishing her world indoor pentathlon title to Ukraine’s Nataliya Dobrynska last week in Turkey, Ennis is still a serious gold medal contender for the seven-discipline heptathlon.
As one of the most recognisable athletes in the Team GB squad Ennis’s already high public profile will reach even greater proportions.
However, the 26-year-old is happy to considered once of the ‘faces of the Games’.
She said: “It is nice because people are willing you to do well. I’m grateful to be in this position but I try and laugh it off. You can’t take it too seriously.
“Yes it is massive but you have got to do what you can do. Not get overly stressed and have a laugh about it.”
Ennis has remained level-headed as she has progressed from being a talented junior athlete to winning the world championship in Berlin in 2009.
She has had a simple approach to her work under the tutelage of long-time coach Toni Minichiello. She says nothing will change now with her first events at the Olympics less than 140 days away.
“I’m going to work hard, train as hard as I can and give it everything and see what happens. I don’t think the world will end. I am looking forward to it. All I’m thinking about is how I can keep improving and better my performances and finish on the podium,” she added.
With the indoor season now finished the Millhouses-based Ennis has had a week’s break from training before beginning her preparations for the key multi-events meeting in Gotzis, Austria, on May 26 and 27.
Unlike a single discipline athlete such as a sprinter or a high jump specialist, Ennis doesn’t compete week-in, week-out.
Gotzis will be the last chance to assess her form against her main competitors before London.
She said that it’s a way of life that holds no fears for her: “That’s what I’m used to. You only aim to peak at two or three competitions a year maximum.
“It’s a lot of training for a few key moments but it’s what I do as an heptathlete.”
Follow Richard on Twitter @RichardFidler
Comments