Ohuruogu claims Sanders is still one to watch

Posted: Sunday 25th January 2009 | 15:48

OLYMPIC champion Christine Ohuruogu insists British rival Nicola Sanders will bounce back from her Beijing heartache and be a major challenger to her world crown this summer.

HEAD TO HEAD: Christine Ohuruogu claims her friendly rivals with Nicola Sanders only inspires her (Getty Images)

Ohuruogu just pipped Sanders to World Championship gold in 2007 as Britain recorded a historic one-two in Osaka.

But while Ohuruogu also topped the podium in Beijing, Sanders was left wondering what might have been, as her injury-hit season finally caught up with her as she failed to make the final.

And while Sanders, 26, has some way to go before she is back to the form that saw her clock a PB of 49.65 seconds in 2007, Ohuruogu admits she will be keeping an eye on her British rival in the countdown to the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.

"I get asked questions about Nicola a lot and ultimately our rivalry has helped me," said Ohuruogu.

"I know Nicola would have been desperately disappointed not to make the final in Beijing but I am sure she will be fiercely determined to bounce back.

"She will have her eyes on the Worlds - like me - and will want to show what she is capable of and she is certainly one to watch out for if I am to retain my title.

"It is good for the sport and good for British athletics to have us competing against each other."

Despite the presence of Sanders and Ohuruogu, Britain only finished fifth in the Olympic 4x400m relay, despite winning bronze medals at the last two World Championships.

And while Ohuruogu admits Britain will have their work cut out to win gold this summer, she firmly believes it is a possibility at the 2012 Olympics.

"Surprisingly we have not had a chance to go through the relay collectively yet," she admitted.

"I think we need the time to sit back and have a bit more time to reflect. We will all review it when the time is good for us.

"Obviously to finish outside the medals with a very talented team was a big disappointment for us.

"That is something I am sure we will all look to put right at 2012, although that is a long way off yet. In the meantime we can all push each other along."

Christine Ohuruogu is a member of the Aviva GB & NI Team and is preparing for the 2009 season at the Aviva UKA Warm Weather Training Camp in South Africa. Find out more at www.ukathletics.net