Stacey Smith takes 4.5secs off 1500m best

Jun 1 2009 The Journal

:: MARK Lewis-Francis overcame pre-race nerves on his comeback to win a low-key 100m at the Bedford International Games yesterday in his first track outing for 18 months. Making his return from a long-term Achilles tendon injury, the 26-year-old claimed victory in the B event with a slight following wind in 10.6secs.

“Today was just to see how winter training has gone,” said the 2004 Olympic 4x100m relay gold medallist. “I wanted to come out and leave injury-free, get back in the blocks and a competitive environment.”

Lewis-Francis, now coached by former Olympic champion Linford Christie, is adamant he can mount a genuine challenge for a place in the Aviva Team GB for the World Championships in August. But the former world junior champion knows he still has a lot of work to do before bidding for a slot at the trials in Birmingham in six weeks’ time.

Lewis-Francis insisted: “Training has been going really well. Me and my coach said today is just the start . . . 10.6secs with wind – I can’t complain. I’m leaving with a smile on my face.”

Jessica Ennis also showed good form, three weeks after winning with a lifetime best score at the Multistars meeting in Desenzano – her first heptathlon since finishing fourth at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka.