Trackspeed1 2009-10 has been hailed by coach John Powell as the most focussed yet, as training speeds through week two. And with the surprise return to the squad of British Olynmpic sprinter Dwayne Grant, the quality of this group is improving all the time."It is great to have Dwayne back," said John, "He returns after a seven-year absence. He is an immensely experienced athlete, will be a huge asset to the group, and hopefully we will also be able to get him back to his best next year."
Grant began his running days with John as his coach when he was an under-13, and went on to earn his early Junior International honours with him, including a European 200m bronze medal, and a gold at the 2000 World Junior Championships in Chile (4 x 100m relay). He also won numerous domestic titles.
Both athlete and coach have remained the firmest of friends since his move on to pastures new in 2002 however, and now both are hoping they can recapture the kind of form both know the athlete is capable of, in 2010.
"It has been quite incredible how the group has turned around in the last twelve months," John went on. "We had a small squad in 2009 who worked incredibly hard and competed outstandingly well, but we have now grown back to a group of around 20 athletes, the vast majority of whom are or have been internationals.
"I even had a text out of the blue this week from another high standard ex-athlete who is looking to make a return, and she is meeting us to discuss things next week.
"But where we are now is that we have a group of athletes who are really grafting in every session, and the levels of motivation are immense. Even athletes like James Ellington, who joined the squad over ten years ago, admits that levels of enthusiasm and morale are at an all-time high."
To track the group's progress through the winter months, log into this blog which will be updated with any news of developments at the Palace.
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