Don't drop it!
Marlon Devonish shares his tips for a smooth sprint relay with Sky Sports ahead of the Olympic heats.
By Emma Bird
Last Updated: 10/08/12 11:16am
As a veteran of the sprint relay, Marlon Devonish is one of the best athletes to turn to for advice and tips on seemingly the most difficult aspect of this track event - just how to get the baton round safely!
With the London 2012 Games the first time he has not been in the team since 1997, the 2004 Olympic gold medallist knows exactly how the British 4x100 metres relay team will be feeling.
He told Sky Sports: "I think the team will be quite excited at the moment; they are in a much better position now than they were before they entered the Games. "
Now standing on the outside looking in, with the heats starting on Friday at the Olympic Stadium, Devonish shares his advice on ensuring that the baton flows freely around the track.
Steady
"My main tips for getting the baton around safely would be that there would be a checkmark on the track... so it is important that the outgoing athletes are aware as soon as the incoming athletes hit that mark, they then run out as hard as they possibly can and just need a steady hand.
"All I would say is keep it simple, have a steady hand and go on the mark."
With the Team GB athletes facing an even greater atmosphere due to the home crowd, Devonish admits that the nerves of being part of a relay team can be incredibly powerful.
Mistakes
He added: "When you are waiting for that baton, your heart is pumping; it's in your mouth. It is a weird situation, it is daunting. When you hear the gun you just react to it so at that point you just wait.
"You're having to hold your nerve and you've got your eye on that checkmark.
"You're supposed to be nervous but at the same time you can't let your nerves overwhelm you; you don't want to make silly mistakes which are really easy to do because the pressure is so high."
As the British team prepare to make their mark on the 2012 Games, the sprint athlete is confident that they can be standing on that podium come Saturday night.
Close
"When we (GB) get it right our baton skills are one of the best in the world. We must have good changeovers though," he said.
"The Americans and Jamaicans are, of course, the main competitors.
"I think, with the Jamaicans, if they execute their race as well as they possibly can, they should win, with America second but it will be quite close.
"The third spot will be between Great Britain, Trinidad and France.
"It will be whoever executes their race properly and takes advantage of the changeovers."
Marlon Devonish was speaking at the Mizuno Performance Centre - open to the public between the 24th July and 12th August at Centre Point Building, 101- 103 New Oxford Street. Visit www.mizunoseiei.com for further details.
