Tom keeps options open

Jul 17 2008 By Nick Pullen

HALL Green high jump star Tom Parsons comes back down to earth tonight when he travels to Loughborough University’s LEAP meeting.

Fresh from booking his place at the Beijing Olympics next month, Parsons admitted: “I’m not sure if I’ll even compete at Loughborough. I’m going to warm up and then I’ll have a look at the conditions. If it’s wet, I might not take part because I don’t want to risk getting injured.

“My coach Sayyaz Ahmed wants me to come in at a big height, around 2.20metres. He wants to put me into pressure situations.

“If I clear it first attempt, he’s hinted he might even call me out of the competition.

“We’ve been working really hard since Sunday. I had an extensive weights sessions on Tuesday and I’m still feeling the effects from it. So that might be a factor as to whether I compete at Loughborough.

“There are more important meetings ahead. I’m off to Stockholm next Tuesday to compete in the Grand Prix where Olympic champion Steffan Holm from Sweden is taking part.

“Then it’s back for the Aviva London Grand Prix next Friday night at Crystal Palace.’’

Parsons produced the jump of his life at last Sunday’s Aviva National Championships to clear 2.30 metres and added: “That’s my first time ever over that height and what a time it was to do it. I got a sore throat I shouted so hard afterwards.

“I couldn’t describe how I felt, it was a mixture of relief and joy.’’