England aiming high
Hannah England told Sky Sports News HD that her self-belief has increased after claiming silver in Daegu.
Last Updated: 07/09/11 4:15pm
Hannah England told Sky Sports News HD that her silver medal at the World Championships has increased her self-belief ahead of the 2012 Olympics.
England produced a storming finish in the final of the 1500 metres, coming from seventh place off the last bend to take second spot in Daegu.
Her success catapulted the 24-year-old into the national spotlight, which in turn has raised hopes that she could again claim a medal at next year's Games on home soil in London.
The Oxford athlete admits she is now even more confident about her ability to compete with the best middle-distance runners in the world - and believes "anything can happen" when it comes to a final.
"It's raised my belief. I just try and race as well as I can - I really don't put a lot of pressure on myself," she said. "But this has given me the self-belief that I can really compete with the best in the world.
"If I can get to the Olympics, make the final and be in the shape I am at the moment, then anything can happen."
With 200m to go a podium place looked unlikely for England until she produced a stunning kick for home to come through from the back of the field.
Chuffed
"Honestly, I probably shouldn't admit this, but I was quite happy then," she said about being seventh going into the closing stages.
"I was thinking 'I feel good, I've had a good race and I haven't mucked up'. I knew I could kick down a couple of those girls, but I never imagined I'd kick down all bar one of them.
"I couldn't believe it over the last 20 metres. I literally thought 'where has everybody gone?'
"I just felt a void to my left and I realised no one was there, that there was only the American girl in front of me. I was just so chuffed to pull it off."
England will now hope to go and emulate her mentor Dame Kelly Holmes by winning Olympic gold next summer.
"I've been involved with Kelly for seven years as part of the 'On Camp With Kelly' scheme, which mentors and supports young athletes," she added.
"She's been such a source of support for me, even more so since I've become a senior international. She phoned me when I was in holding camp before the championships and then texted me before and after every round. I always knew she was there for me.
"It was just really nice to have someone like that. It felt like a secret weapon, like I had an advantage over the other runners."
