MLF feeling confident
Olympic gold medallist Mark Lewis-Francis talked to Sky Sports about the upcoming London Games.
Last Updated: 29/05/12 4:18pm
With the Olympic trials approaching next month, Olympic gold medallist Mark Lewis-Francis admits that the London Games are beginning to feel "very real," yet he is as focused and motivated as ever.
Having been in Arizona for warm-weather training, the 2012 season has so far gone incredibly smoothly for the sprinter, who has been plagued with injuries throughout his long athletics career.
He said: "It is getting very real. Training has definitely tapered down a little bit- I am starting to do a lot more speed work and getting focused.
"I've got one of the best coaches in the world, so I have nothing to worry about. I know he will get me in the right shape and form for the trials.
"I'm very confident. I've raced three times already in America and I've come back and I am racing in Manchester at the weekend so I am looking forward to it."
Winning ways
With London set to be Francis' second Olympic Games, after missing Beijing four years ago due to having an operation on his Achilles tendon, he knows he has to be at the very top of his game in order to dream of gold once more.
As part of the 2004 4x100m winning relay team, alongside Jason Gardener, Marlon Devonish and Darren Campbell, Francis knows what it takes to reach the pinnacle of sporting achievement.
Having held off American Maurice Greene to take the coveted title, Francis added: "We had a really good team spirit, we really put in the work that year and we believed in ourselves.
"I believe we can do that again, we've got a great calibre of athletes coming through, we've got a good set of sprinters in the UK and I believe we can go to London and definitely deliver."
Targets
With highs and lows sprinkled throughout his career, with his funding being removed and then reinstated as injuries cleared and performances improved, the GB hopeful knows how special London will be.
With silver medals at both the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games in 2010, Francis will be looking to improve his position on the podium in front of a home crowd this year.
However, he knows that to be in with a chance of golden glory, a sub-10 time is vital, along with good competition ahead of the main event, as he admits that making the 100m final is his aim for London.
BMW London 2012 Performance Team member Mark Lewis-Francis was testing his acceleration on The Mall against a BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics car from the London 2012 fleet.
