GAMES PREP' NICELY ON COURSE

James Ellington passes the baton to Adam Gemilli n a relay rehearsal
at the Monte Gordo track, Southern Portugal, yesterday

Some of the TeamGB track and field team may have wished they were in Stratford last night, but their training camp in Southern Portugal is just what the doctor ordered for the vast majority, including Trackspeed1 sprinter James Ellington and his coach John Powell.


"We are in excellent accommodation here, with excellent weather, and all the atlete and team support you could possibly wish for," said John, who is still reeling from the shock of having been included in the TeamGB coaching personnel.

"Some athletes wished they were involved in the ceremony, but I think everyone understands why they are not.  The Portugal camp offers a terrific opportunity to manage yourself into a virtually perfect lifestyle in the run-up to the track and field events in London."

Coach John Powell and James Ellington in Portugal as TeamGB
gathered for an official photograph and then watch the Olympic Games
opening ceremony on a big screen.

Preparations are going well too, with James a fully integrated member of the relay squad, from which the final four will be selected on August 9th, and his individual prep' for the 200 metres is also going well.

"I cannot thank UKA Head Coach Charles Van Commenee enough for including me in the coaching team," said John.  "I was flabbergasted when I got the email, but it is terrific to be here overseeing James' last preparations for the race of his life in the Olympic Stadium on August 7th.

John Powell with UKA Head Coach Charles Van Commenee at the
Track & Field team holding camp in Portugal yesterday.

Both James and John will return to London on Saturday August 4th when James will be transported straight into the athletes' village, and John will go home to re-introduce himself to his wife and 5-month-old daughter.

"It'll be great to see the family again, and it will be a super experience for James in the village.  Unless you've been involved in an Olympics before, it is impossible to understand the scale of the event, let alone the thrill of being part of it.

"I will be in Stratford at some point on Sunday 5th to validate my accreditation, and probably again on Monday 6th to ensure I know routes in and out of the warm-up area.  It's quite a journey, and it would be rather unfortunate if I didn't make it into the stadium in time for James' race, so it's dry run time on Monday!

TeamGB track & field athletes gather for the opening ceremony,
beamed onto a big screen, at the holding camp in Southern Portugal