Greaves looking to Crystal Palace after World Cup

By Ryan Bangs, Sportsbeat

DAN Greaves wants to prove his worth in the prestigious Diamond League this summer - but having claimed a third successive world title in January he isn't too bothered what he does and doesn't do.

BREAKING BOUNDARIES: Dan Greaves wants to make a mark at the Crystal Palace Diamond League meeting this summer

Greaves' summer season has just begaun, with him lining up at the Loughborough International against able-bodied competitors before moving on to this week's BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

The 28-year-old competed in the discus at the same two events last year finishing fifth in Loughborough and winning gold in an unofficial world record and lifetime best of 57.14m at the World Cup.

Greaves is also planning to attend the U.S. Paralympics Track and Field National Championships before returning for the Bedford International Games and if all goes to plan the Crystal Palace Diamond League meet in August.

That could see him go up against able-bodied competition again and while confident he can succeed Greaves admits winning world discus gold in New Zealand earlier in the year whatever happens now, happens.

"I am going to do quite a few able-bodied competitions and hopefully I can try and get a guest spot for the Diamond League at Crystal Palace and push that through," said Greaves.

"This year is about getting the qualifying distances for the 2012 Paralympics but really that is being put on the back burner and I am not too fussed what happens.

"I am not going to win any major medals because there aren't any major competitions and so I just have to put the groundwork in at the competitions I do this year.

"It is always good to compete against able-bodied athletes, they have different work ethics and they are like man mountains and that makes me want to throw further and get bigger.

"So being invited to the Diamond League, on top of competing against those guys I did at the World Championships in New Zealand at the World Cup, should make me throw further."

Aside from the Loughborough International Greaves has made just one appearance since winning a third successive world title, competing against Olympic discus champion Gerd Kanter at the World Indoor Throwing event in Sweden in March.

And with his second and third outings approaching fast Greaves, a winner of Paralympic discus gold, silver and bronze medals, is relishing a regular return to the circle.

"I am really looking forward to the World Cup in particular and most of the guys that were in New Zealand should be there so it will be good renew those rivalries," he added.

"And I guess it is a bit of a home coming, it is always good to show the British public what we can do and Manchester presents all of the guys on the team with a great opportunity."

The BT Paralympic World Cup took place in Manchester from 23-28 May with elite international athletes competing in Swimming, Athletics and Wheelchair Basketball. Go to www.btparalympicworldcup.com for more information

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