Harry AA sets targets

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey: Focused on the Olympics this summer

As one of Team GB's brightest sprinting prospects, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is fully focused on qualifying for the London Olympics yet knows how tough the competition for places is going to be.

Targeting the 100m, the Carshalton-born runner is preparing for the Olympic trials taking place late next month, knowing that a top two finish would mean automatic selection.

He said: "I've got a few niggles at the moment so I'm maybe one or two weeks from where I'd like to be but we've got a nice plan in place for where we want to be by the trials."

He has admitted that he will not double up with the 200m as he is fully aware of how difficult such a task would be in Olympic year.

"I think trying to get the 100m and 200m will be quite a task- we have a great depth of sprinters this year in the UK," he said.

Rivals

With Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt at the forefront of world sprinting in 2012, Aikines-Aryeetey is looking forward to hopefully facing such talented opposition.

"It's an amazing year; the depth of sprinting is actually amazing at the moment," he added.

"However, we are all on a level playing field once we're at the Olympics, so that's what it's all about. Making sure you're at the Games- that way you can all compete against each other."

Such fierce competition was highlighted at the recent Doha Diamond League meet, with American Justin Gatlin gaining victory in the 100m in an impressive 9.87s ahead of Jamaica's Asafa Powell.

Aikines-Aryeetey said: "We're not blessed with the conditions that they have in all these competitions. But I do recall going to the World Championships last year as my comeback year and missing out on the final by one place so certain things can happen."

Teamwork

Amongst the possibilities is a repeat of the GB 4x100m relay team grabbing gold in sensational style at the 2004 Games in Athens- something the young sprinter remembers watching clearly during his teenage years.

With the prospect of being part of the 2012 relay team in London, he added: "I can't imagine anything better than winning a medal in the Olympic stadium in the sprint relay."

The race will surely be a highlight of the Olympics this summer, with Dwain Chambers now a strong contender for a spot on the team.

With such a tough battle for places on the relay squad, Aikines-Aryeetey believes Chamber's eligibility to run will boost the 4x100m team and he has no qualms with the sprinter being up for selection.

He said: "I'm fine with it- I'm just a small ant in comparison to all the decisions being made. Whatever my opinion was it didn't really matter because I never really decided. It's more a case of me as an athlete getting on with whatever I'm told to do, I follow instructions."

It is these instructions which he hopes will lead him to glory at next month's trials in order to be a part of Team GB when the Games come around this summer in London.

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is a member of the BMW London 2012 Performance Team. To find out more about BMW and London 2012, please visit: www.bmw.co.uk/london2012.