Williams one to watch
UK Athletics chief Charles van Commenee says teenager Jodie Williams will be the envy of the world in years to come.
Last Updated: 07/03/11 11:01pm
UK Athletics chief Charles van Commenee says teenage sprinter Jodie Williams is the type of athlete every country would love to have in their ranks, after her promising senior debut in Paris.
17-year-old Williams came within a whisker of bagging a bronze at the European Indoor Championships on what was her senior debut in the 60m.
Williams has already spoken of her desire not to fade away after such a promising junior career, and Van Commenee believes she has something special.
"It's the sort of athlete that every country is waiting for," Van Commenee said. "It's a very positive indication.
"Nobody could have predicted that (she would come so close to a medal). That was one of the very special performances here for our team.
Special
"Before the championship you think it's not impossible to run a final, and then you don't expect her to medal but she came so close, closer than anybody could have thought. Breaking her personal best here in this environment is very special. I like those surprises.
"I like always to focus on the here and the now, not so much on what may happen, should happen. Let's enjoy the moment. I am happy with the European Championships and hopefully 10 years from now, three years from now, we can be happy with another championship with Jodie Williams winning a medal."
Van Commenee was satisfied with Team GB doubling their tally of medals from two years ago to eight in Paris, but he was not pleased with displays from Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in the 60m and Colin McCourt in the 1500m.
Both men have already apologised for their respective performances, and their boss was happy to see them being so tough on themselves.
"I'd rather see athletes being aware that they underperformed because that's an indication that they may improve," the Dutchman said. "Both performances were absolutely unacceptable. It saves me a lot of time and energy if they understand that from the start.
"But it's more about how to make these athletes better, that's what I'm paid to do with the coaches. We are not employed to slag them off, we are here to find improvement.
Scared
"Harry was psychologically not ready. He was fearful that the same thing might have happened as last year in Doha (when he suffered a serious hamstring injury at the World Indoors) so he was too aware of any sort of tickles almost in the hamstring.
"Colin just underestimated the first round, thinking about the final, thinking about medals and forgetting that they have to qualify first.
"He was too laid back in the first two laps and then it was too late. It's the mistake of a novice basically, but I think the fact that they understand means they are going to work on it from today onwards."
Showing his tough streak, Van Commenee insisted 37-year-old Helen Clitheroe would not be put back on funding despite her gold medal in the 3000m on Sunday.
"Not based on this performance, but if she does it outdoors and is getting results that indicate she has a reasonable chance to make top eight in the Olympics, then yes," Van Commenee added.
"The world-class performance plan is based on global performances."
