Javelin still a sore point for Kelly Sotherton

Jun 9 2008

COMMONWEALTH champion, world and Olympic medallist Kelly Sotherton chose to launch her summer season in Tipton, at the tail-end of the Midland League match for Birchfield Harriers' second team.

The reason for this coy behaviour is not hard to find. The 31-year-old wasn't keen to have the world's media witnessing her new, improved javelin throwing, just in case.

That was as well because the remodelled technique was less than a success. Kelly, who in six of her seven events can shoot it with the best in the world, threw less than 32 metres.

In Beijing terms, this would be a launchpad - but only for the confidence of opponents generally with far less to offer.

It seems she still has a mental hang-up with the event. It can't be physical because she has every attribute required. It can't be the coaching because her new man, Mike McNeil, is one of a series and they can't all be missing the key.

So somehow, she has to straighten her arm and chuck for England and St George. She'd be doing it for the country because a throw of even 40 metres would keep her in the final reckoning now that Sweden's Carolina Kluft has decided not to defend her title.

The better news is that Sotherton produced a respectable shot putt of more than 13 metres and looked to be in excellent shape.

The loss of Paula Radcliffe and heptathlete Jessica Ennis leaves her as one of only four athletes for whom gold is not a distant dream.