Sotherton puts medals before rivalry

Feb 13 2007

OLYMPIC bronze medallist Kelly Sotherton insists she has greater concerns than her rivalry with domestic challenger Jessica Ennis although she admits the competition is healthy for the sport in Britain.

The 30-year-old claimed the Commonwealth title last year in Melbourne with her younger rival just edged out of the silver medal position by Australian Kylie Wheeler in what was Ennis' first major senior international competition.

The pair faced each other over the weekend at the trials for next month's European Indoor Championships in Birmingham with Ennis having the better of their encounters in the 60metres hurdles and high jump while Sotherton prevailed in the shot putt.

The Sheffield student insisted afterwards the pair have a good relationship and while Sotherton believes theirs is a healthy rivalry, she is adamant her main focus is not on retaining the British number one spot.

The Birchfield Harrier said: "Having two people fight it out in an event is always good for the sport and good for Britain but my focus is not on being British number one - it's winning a medal.

"I've got to look further at European and world athletes like Carolina Kluft and Karin Ruckstuhl.

"I'm looking further afield and Jess will be doing exactly the same thing.

"I'm not concentrating on Jess or keeping the British number one spot because that does not get you medals."

The Isle of Wight-born athlete acknowledges a domestic rivalry can draw attention to an event with the pair are continuing a healthy tradition in heptathlon in this country.

"It's more interesting to have people fighting it out in an event.

"I've already had that before in the long jump with Jade Johnson.

"The crowd always love that sort of thing - it's only going to raise the profile of our event.

"Jess is 10 years younger than me so it's nice there is someone behind me coming through and behind her there are some good youngsters too.

"Heptathlon is really good in our country with (former Commonwealth record holder) Judy Simpson and (Olympic champion) Denise Lewis before me so a continuous rollover like this is important for the sport."

Sotherton will compete in the long jump at the Norwich Union Indoor Grand Prix on Saturday in her final preparations for the European Championships at the same venue from March 2-4.

Although her main target for the year is the world championships in Osaka in August, Sotherton claims the indoor season plays an important role.

"My focus is of course the world championships and this (the indoor season) is the first step on the way to performing well this year.

"It's a confidence boost too. If you go and perform well indoors then its going to give a good grounding for the rest of the year."