Ennis' chance to shine

British golden girl to assess Olympic form at Indoors

Last Updated: February 11, 2012 3:52pm

Jessia Ennis: Can the Briton turn silver into Olympic gold in 2012?

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Jessica Ennis gets a first chance to assess her form ahead of the London Olympics at this weekend's UK Indoor Championships in Sheffield.

Britain's heptathlon gold medal hopeful will contest the 60m hurdles, high jump, long jump and shot put in front of a home crowd in Sheffield.

"It's definitely a nice run through ahead of the Olympics," Ennis told Sky Sports News HD.

"It's a great indication to see how winter training has gone and what kind of shape and position you're in ahead of the big championships.

"It's nice to be in my home city and get that feeling of support we'll have in a few months' time at the Olympics."

Title defence

The event at the English Institute of Sport doubles up as the British trials for next month's World Indoor Championships in Istanbul.

Ennis will attempt to defend her indoor pentathlon world title in Turkey but is also viewing the championships as a chance to measure herself against rival Tatyana Chernova.

"All the British athletes are feeling a lot of pressure but it's a nice pressure to have."
Jessica Ennis Quotes of the week

The Russian beat Ennis to the world heptathlon crown in Daegu last summer and is expected to mount a strong challenge for the gold medal at the London Games.

"She'll be in great form," Ennis said. "So [the World Indoors] will be a great opportunity to see where we are at this stage of the year.

"I've definitely taken on some fuel from Daegu and picking up that silver medal.

"It would be brilliant to retain the [World Indoor] title. It will definitely give me some confidence in the next few months and going into the Olympics.

"I'm feeling good and really happy with the way training has gone."

Home pressure

Ennis will be competing in her first Olympic Games this year after a foot injury meant she was unable to take part in Beijing Olympics.

The Sheffield-born athlete went on to win the 2009 world heptathlon title the following season and she is under pressure to repeat that golden form at her home Olympics.

"All the British athletes are feeling a lot of pressure but it's a nice pressure to have," added Ennis.

"We've got a lot of support from the public and we're looking forward to going out there and performing."