OLYMPIC TRIALS: Ennis confirms tough schedule in Birmingham

Posted: Wednesday 6th June 2012 | 12:37

JESS Ennis will compete in four events at this month's Olympic trials.

BUSY: Jess Ennis believes a tough schedule at the Aviva 2012 Trials is key to her Olympic preparations

Former world champion Ennis, who set a new British heptathlon record last month and will now travel to London 2012 as favourite for gold, will compete in some of her strongest disciplines at the Aviva UK Championships in Birmingham.

After consultation with coach Toni Minichiello, she will take part in the 100m hurdles and high jump on Saturday June 23, followed by the long jump and 200m, where she recently set a new personal best, one day later.

"I want to use the meet to give myself a real physical test over two days," said Ennis.

"I will be competing in two heats and four finals over the weekend and this is the closest I'll come to replicating my London 2012 schedule ahead of the Games."

Ennis will go up against British record holder Tiffany Porter over the sprint hurdles and in-form Shara Proctor in the long jump.

"The great thing about the Aviva 2012 Trials is that I'll be taking on specialists and they will all be fighting for Olympic spots," added Ennis.

"Tiffany and Shara are world-class opposition and they've both had great starts to the year.

"There will be no let up over two days and these are the type of battles that I will find at the Olympics."

Ennis is a four-time national champion and will defend the high jump title she won comfortably in 2011.

This month's trials will be the biggest for two decades with over 750 of Britain's best athletes going head-to-head in the battle for selection.

"There is a depth in the sport that we have not seen for 20 years and we have a number of events where five or six athletes are competing for three places," said UK Athletics head coach Charles Van Commenee.

"It doesn’t take a genius to work out the maths and athletes will need to be at the very top of their game at the Olympic Trials if they want to make the team for London 2012.”

* Back the team and watch over 750 of Britain’s best athletes in action at the Aviva 2012 Trials at the Birmingham Alexander Stadium from 22nd-24th June. For tickets visit www.uka.org.uk/aviva-series or call 08000 55 60 56.