Merseyside stars ready themselves for Beijing

Jul 17 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

AS Matthew Owens and David Forrester confirmed their places among the top 10 juniors in the world at the World Junior Championships in Poland, Michael Rimmer prepares to make a similar bid at the Olympic Games next month.

High jumper Owens (Liverpool) and metric miler Forrester (St Helens-Sutton) were each ninth in their respective finals, representing a major breakthrough on to the world stage. Chris Smith (Wirral) didn’t make the 800m final but will continue at world level.

By winning the Olympic trial over 800m at Birmingham, Rimmer, who equalled Steve Ovett’s record of three national 800m titles in a row, clinched his place in the British team for Beijing when the first wave of Olympians were announced on Monday.

Also travelling to China is Liverpool’s Anyike Onuora, who failed in her bid for an individual berth in the 200m but is a well established member of the 4x100m squad.

However, 800m runner Jenny Meadows (Wigan), who missed the trials owing to illness, must wait to see if her excellent international record earns her a place in the second wave of selections.

Future stars were on show at Gateshead in the ESAA Championship where Jack Meredith (hurdles), Katrina Thompson (high jump) and, unexpectedly, James Hunter (400m) all earned victories. Others who stood on the podium included Rebecca Linney (second in 800m) and Jon Croasdale (third high hurdles).

The only disappointment was the discovery that one entered athlete was ineligible and had to withdraw from the championship. Early indications are that next year’s championships will be at Sheffield with Birmingham the hosts in 2011.

This weekend sees the final match in the Young Athletes League season for 2008. In the Premier Division Liverpool should have no difficulty retaining their Northern title at home to Sale, SouthportWaterloo and City of Sheffield.