8:00am Thursday 11th March 2010
LEE McConnell admitted she is relying on a dose of déjà vu when she makes only her third indoor appearance in three years at the World Championships in Doha.
The 31-year-old Shaftesbury Barnet Harrier was a surprise inclusion in UKA head coach Charles van Commenee’s 38-strong Aviva GB&NI team having not taken to the track competitively at all so far this year.
However, McConnell – who has been to two Olympics and five outdoor World Championships – has seen her experience called upon to lead Britain’s 4x400m relay team in the Middle East.
McConnell will join forces with European Under-23 400m hurdles champion Perri Shakes-Drayton, Kim Wall, Victoria Barr, Hayley Jones and Dawn Hunt on a six-strong squad.
The last time the Barnet-based sprinter competed indoors in 2007 she claimed a second successive European 4x400m bronze medal and McConnell believes that is a good omen ahead of Doha.
“I didn’t ever plan to do an indoor season at all so being selected came as quite a big surprise,” said McConnell.
“I have run at two Europeans in the past in the relay when I hadn’t been planning on doing an indoor season and we won bronze, so I am confident we can go there and challenge for a medal.
“I have never really done an indoor season because indoor athletics doesn’t really suit me as I am a bit too big for it.
“But I have had a really good winter and while I am not race fit I am generally nice and fit so I am confident I can do well.
“I think I might have been picked because I am a little bit older than some of the other girls and have quite a lot of experience.
“But I think the team has got a good mix of younger runners and more experienced girls and that is a good sign.”
McConnell spent the large part of January on a UKA warm-weather training camp in South Africa in preparation for the summer months before answering van Commenee’s call.
Although despite impressing on her last two major international indoor outings McConnell admits her three-year break from the competition has left her feeling anxious at what to expect.
“It is actually a bit scary for me to be going indoors, the worlds is an even bigger event to the Europeans so it is a bit daunting,” she added.
“Charles was out in South Africa when I trained out there in January so he knows what sort of shape I am in and I don’t think they’d be taking a team if they didn’t think we were capable.”
Sprinter Joice Maduaka will join McConnell in Doha after defying the years to claim the British indoor 60m title in 7.29 seconds.
The 36-year-old also claimed the 200m title in Sheffield and will be Britain’s sole individual female sprinter in Qatar.
* Aviva has been proud to have helped and supported the Aviva GB & NI junior, senior and disability teams as they prepare for all major events and championships since 1999. Visit www.aviva.co.uk/athletics for more information.
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