Jessica Ennis just wants to say thanks

Aug 29 2009 by Steve Brown, The Journal

A GOLD medal in her pocket and a knocking bet to be the face of the 2012 Olympics, these are stellar, headlining days for Jessica Ennis.

Importantly, though, the Sheffield heptathlete knows the significance of the stepping stones in between, the smaller stages that lead to the big ones.

So after Berlin, where she became heptathlon world champion, and long before London, Monday brings her to Gateshead.

And Ennis considers the Aviva British Grand Prix – where she competes in the 100m hurdles – the ideal platform from which to thank her fans for supporting her as she bounced back from a foot injury that kept her out of last year’s Olympics to win gold at the Worlds.

“Everyone’s looking forward to Gateshead,” Ennis said.

“It’s never fitted in with my programme before, I’ve always tended to end the season with a heptathlon at a major championship. But having done so well (in Berlin) and not having competed here before, it’s just a nice opportunity to thank everyone for their support.

“Everyone has been caught up in the excitement about 2012 ever since London was awarded the Games, but as athletes we have to try to stay a little bit detached from it.

“People come up to me and say ‘Good luck in 2012’, but there’s so much for me to achieve in between. It’s just important to focus on one season at a time, and one event at a time. That’s why Gateshead becomes so important now.