SENSATIONAL OPENER - GAME ON FOR 2016!

David Bolarinwa European Junior Champion in 2011, and World Junior finalist in 2012, is back!  A sensational 10.35 (wind +0.4m/s) opening 100m run yesterday (22/4) was his fastest in three years, and spurred training partner Oweka Wanogho to his first lifetime best since 2012.

David Bolarinwa is all smiles after his season
opening 100m shot him into the top five
rankings in the UK, his fastest sprint since 2013.

Wanogho clung to David's coat tails until around halfway when the former world class junior pulled away to decimate all but one of the field, while Wanogho hung on to third with 10.69s, shattering his previous fastest ever time.

It was a huge boost for the whole of Trackspeed1-UK who were eagerly awaiting news from the rain-soaked Percy Beard track facility, in Gainesville, Florida.  The meeting had been suspended for almost two hours, putting their record-breaking performances on hold, and adding to the pressure of a season's opener.

It is of course, early days, but after three seasons away, David's first year back with Trackspeed1-UK since 2012 would appear to hold great promise.  His run was his fourth fastest ever, and ranks as fifth fastest in the UK.  Wanogho himself crept into the top 10 in the UK for the first time ever.

Conditions ultimately were pretty good despite torrential rain holding up proceedings for a substantial period, which won't have helped preparations, with a season's opening competition always an added pressure.  The rain returned for the 200m later in the day, but the meet pushed on, and duly produced another lifetime best for John Powell's squad.

A double rainbow decorates a rain-soaked Gainesville
track where Trackspeed1-UK athletes completed
outstanding season debut performances

Nic Baker had never gone under 22 seconds in his life, but braved the wet to record 21.83s, one hundredth behind Wanogho, who is clearly destined to go much faster this year.

The results triggered a host of messaging within the remainder of the group who were unable to compete, with recent internal time trials suggesting that most athletes are on course for lifetime best performances this year, and that the coach's timing in training might have been accurate after all!

"It's incredibly early days," said John Powell who couldn't help but punch the air when Bolarinwa's time was revealed, "but it's great to get an endorsement of someone's form so early on.  We know what David is capable of, and we know that both Oweka and Nic are in the form of their lives.

"Now all we have to do is ensure the rest of the group prove that they are too!"

Virtually the whole squad will open up their UK season at Newham on May 8th.

40 YEARS A COACH

It was 40 years ago today that Trackspeed1-UK head coach, John Powell took his first coaching badge at Crystal Palace, with coach Ron Roddan, coach of eventual Olympic and World 100m Champion, Linford Christie. 

A montage of some of John's international athletes since the turn
of the century including Chris Lambert, James Ellington,
Dwayne Grant, Jason Hussain, and Wade Bennett-Jackson

During the ensuing four decades, what he describes as an "unimaginable rollercoaster" shaped his life and formed a sporting community that he sits at the centre of today.

Speaking from his squad's warm weather training camp in Florida, USA, he reflected on a voluntary career that shadowed but supplemented what most would see as one of the more challenging professions:

"Many thought that coaching and the Police would clash big time," he said, "but in fact they complemented each other really well.  I learned people management skills in the Police, but adapted them to a massively diverse audience - many young - in athletics.

"I liked to think I could actually relate to young people far better as a result.  As time went on, management and organisational experience in athletics definitely helped in various ways through the ranks in the Met'.  The combination, I strongly believe to this day, made me a better coach and a better Police Officer."

Of the many highlights during the last 40 years, the early days saw arguably the most successful youth scheme in British Athletics created at then Blackheath Harriers, winning five national titles under John's management.  That then formed the trigger for an international coaching career that saw him travel worldwide, developing contacts and coaching partnerships all over the globe.

John's squads were highlighted by athletes taking part in Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World and European Championships, along with innumerable World and European Junior Championships.

David Bolarinwa became only the third British junior to win three medals at a European junior championships under John's tutelege, while Chris Lambert won gold in the European under-23 championships 200m in a record time that stands to this day, along with the 4x100m relay, and then the World Student title over 100m all in the same year.

In 2013 John was presented with the MBE for services to Athletics by HM The Queen - a moment he described as more thrilling than any track success by any of his athletes ever!

The biggest moment of his coaching career - HM The Queen rewards John
with the MBE for services to Athletics.

On the day that he celebrated his 40 years holding a stop watch, his squad produced a mass of personal best times at pre-season time trials at their US base - and to cap it all, Head of Performance for British Athletics, Neil Black, put in a surprise appearance!

In what he describes as "life-part 2" John still has many challenges ahead, not least his currently 2 and 4 year-old daughters!  He is currently Chairman, Life Member and President of his club, Belgrave Harriers, and remains hugely ambitious to be part of the international athletics scene in the years to come.

Just a few moments from the later days of his coaching career are captured hereunder...

A spot interview on Australian TV during a training trip in Queensland

Bronze for athlete Wade Bennett-Jackson in the World Junior
Championships 4x100m relay in  Beijing 2006

Chris Lambert celebrates his World Student 100m title in South Korea, 2003

John talks through a training session Stateside with
Olympic sprinter James Ellington

This Trackspeed1-UK relay quartet sent shockwaves through some
top American college teams with a 40.12 4x100m in Orlando

John stands in front of the Harvard University track and field records
board which show Chris Lambert's college records which stand to this day.

John with European Junior 200m Champion, David Bolarinwa, 2011

John meets a track legend - former world 200m and 400m
record holder Michael Johnson

Another liaison with one of the world's all-time great sprinters - Don Quarrie

John shakes with British Athletics Head Coach Charles Van Commenee
whilst at the holding camp in Portugal for the London Olympics

Congratulating eventual Dame, Kelly Holmes, after her first
gold medal in the Athens Olympics, 2004

Carrying the London Olympics Torch at Crystal Palace 23/7/12 

Another shot of that big day with longest-serving
 athlete in the squad, and who led the nomination,
Jason Hussain

Another international and Olympian, Dwayne Grant.

TRACKSPEED1-UK READY TO ROLL STATESIDE!

Described as one of the most focussed groups at a pre-season training camp, by head coach John Powell, Trackspeed1-UK athletes cannot wait to open up their outdoor programme Stateside this year.

Flying out of the blocks - some of the squad in training at Clermont today

Based at the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida, rep' times, technical work and general focus on the tasks at hand are on a real high.

"Olympic year always gives that extra thrill to track and field," said John, "and this group are very motivated - not to mention confident - to get going this season.  It's only the elite few who actually get to a major Games, but the sense of excitement is very contagious at every level in the sport.

"As usual we've had a couple of niggles this time round, but the support we have here is exceptional with physio' Dr John Allen, and Strength and Conditioning guru Mark Stanton, who also provides soft tissue treatment.

"That said, unlike previous years, there has been minimal  demand for massage therapy, and most of the group are in pretty good shape, so all the indications are good for a summer season.  We have only 8 weeks when we return to the UK before the Olympic trials and British Championships!"

More images from today's session...

David Bolarinwa (left) and Oweka Wanogho in action
during Stateside training

Niclas Baker is back with Trackspeed1-UK after studying in Leeds
University for the past year, and looking like
a great prospect over 400m!

Coach John Powell gives video feedback during a session at Clermont
this morning as the group gradually gear up for summer.

Piers Chen in action earlier today

Sam Imhogiemhe is quickly overcoming an initial hamstring
niggle to rejoin mainstream training next week.

ELITE SUPPORT FOR A FLYING START!

As Trackspeed1-UK athletes ease into the second week of their annual pre-season USA training camp in Florida, their elite support staff are already having a massive influence on some outstanding early-trip performances. 

Dr John Allen, arguably the most experienced and senior physiotherapist in athletics in the UK, is again the medical / therapy lead, with this year excellent backup from Mark Stanton MSc, whose qualifications in sports science, strength and conditioning and soft tissue therapy provide athlete support second to none.

Dr John Allen chats with Trackspeed1-UK athletes between training sessions

 Along with Head Coach, John Powell, who celebrates 40 years of qualified coaching in April, he joins Stanton and Allen to combine to form a formidable support team.

"It's not that we've had sack loads of injury issues already," explained John, "but we have a great set-up this year with discussion forums on various aspects of training led by John and Mark, while in-session advice is given by Mark in the gym, with John screening every athlete for any issues they need to be aware of.

"I doubt many squads have such quality, not-to-mention comprehensive support at a pre-season training camp other than the British team themselves.  It's a real privilege to have people like John and Mark on board for a 5-week camp.

"What is also a major contributor too of course, is the excellent facilities offered at the National Training Center in Clermont.  We've been going there for many years now, and it's small wonder that several world class American athletes base themselves there."

John Powell chats with some of the Trackspeed1-UK athletes in Flroida

Oweka Wanogho and Chaka Maillet go head to head in a training rep'
at Clermont as their coach looks on.

Meanwhile on the track early session times suggest most athletes are in shape to move on to some very positive performances this summer.  Their first intended competition is at the Tom Jones Memorial meeting, in Gainesville, on April 22nd.

"The Gainesville meet is far from a big deal for us," John continued, "but it's a great opportunity for people to get an idea of where they're at a few weeks before the season proper kicks in."

The first major meeting for the principle athletes in the squad on home ground will be the annual Loughborough University international on May 22nd.

Oweka Wanogho in action during training in Clermont