Aikines-Aryeetey keeping feet firmly on the ground

By Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat, in Monte Gordo

 HARRY Aikines-Aryeetey has long been talked about as a future London 2012 Olympic gold medal winner but the young sprinter insists he's not getting carried away just yet.

POSITIVE THINKING: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey looks on the bright side of life (Getty Images for Aviva)

Aikines-Aryeetey has been included in a six-strong 4x100m British relay squad bound for Berlin, which will also feature Tyrone Edgar, Simeon Williamson, Marlon Devonish, Rikki Fifton and Craig Pickering.

The 20-year-old hit the headlines after completing a 100m and 200m double at the 2005 World Youth Championships and was awarded the ‘Rising Star of the Year' award by the IAAF and the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award that year.

A year later he became World Junior Champion over 100m, he was disappointed to miss the 2007 season with a back injury, but he bounced back to earn selection for the 2008 Olympic Games, where he was a non-competing member of the relay squad.

But after making his mark already in 2009 - he won gold at the under-23 championships in Lithuania last month - Aikines Aryeetey is once again under the spotlight. 

"Everyone is different but I came into the sport just wanting to be the best that I can and the best I can in recent years has been to win medals," added Aikines-Aryeetey, speaking at the Aviva-funded Team GB warm-weather training camp in Monte Gordo.

"That is going to take a bit more time obviously at senior level but I am just here to learn and I am proud to be here and represent Great Britain.

"To run relay for the team I have got pressure from working with three other people and training hard but I think if you get too stressful about it then it won't work out well.

"A lot of athletes will tell you that they run their best when they have got nothing to lose and nothing to gain - it is just about going out there and doing the best you can do and hopefully I can take into Berlin.

"You have got to enjoy it because the life of an athlete is a short one and once those years go and I want to have something to say to my grandkids or kids."