Athlete quotes from the Great Manchester CityGames

Athlete quotes from the Great Manchester CityGames

Jessica Ennis-Hill – 29, Sheffield, Olympic heptathlon champion – 100m Hurdles 3rd place – 13.14 SB in her first competition in almost two-years

“It’s really good to be back – I’m happy to have made my racing comeback. I hoped to run faster, I hit a hurdle but I’ve not got my sharpness back yet.

“It was lovely to have Reggie here to watch but I stayed in the hotel away from him – I slept really well at least.

“It was really nice to get back into everything and to feel the nerves again. I’ll go back and train hard to get race sharp now. The weather wasn’t great but it could have been a lot worse.

“I’m looking forward to Gotzis but I still feel rusty from not having raced for so long – I just need to get into some more races.

“I’ve got the best of both worlds now – being an athlete and a mum, it’s a nice distraction to have my son – he brings a lot of joy to my life.”

Greg Rutherford – 28, Milton Keynes, Olympic, European and Commonwealth long jump champion – Long Jump WINNER – 8.01m

“It was good – in those kind of conditions, it was one of the best competitions of my life – it was brutally cold.

“I didn’t jump too well but it’s always good to win. I was surprised to jump 8-metres and now onto next week in Shanghai, which will be a much bigger challenge – all the top rivals will be there.

“I want to stay fit, healthy and win as many competitions as possible this year but especially the World Champs.

“I’m going for the IAAF Diamond League this year by really making an attack on it. There’s definitely something there in me this year, I’m excited.”

Dina Asher-Smith – 19, Blackheath, World junior 100m champion and European indoor 60m silver medallist – 150m WINNER – 16.82 PB

“I really enjoyed that – I felt a bit cold at the start but the race went well and I’m pleased with how I executed the race.

“I had a great winter and an amazing 2014 so I’m eager and excited to build on that and hopefully have an impressive summer.”
Meghan Beesley – 25, Birmingham, World Championships 400m representative – 200m Hurdles WINNER – 25.28 SB

“It’s impossible to prepare properly for this race because the distance between the hurdles on the track are a lot different to on a normal, non-straight track – it’s about a half a metre difference.

“I’ve got my speed but I had nothing left at the end. It was good to have a battle with Kat at the end.

“It’s nice to be back – I was in a cast (with a foot injury) for twelve weeks last year so it’s great to come and win here again.”

Katarina Johnson-Thompson – 22, Liverpool, European indoor pentathlon champion – 200m Hurdles runner-up – 25.31 PB

“It was really good but I was nervous about the extra distance, I enjoyed it though. I just ran my own race and picked up towards the end.

“I’m happy and I might just do a couple of throwing events now before the heptathlon at Gotzis (at the end of May).

“I’m happy with my form at this early stage of the season. Today was just a run-out to see where I’m at – I enjoyed it and I’ll come back next year.”

Richard Kilty – 25, Teeside, World and European indoor 60m champion – 100m runner-up – 10.29 SB

“It was absolutely freezing. This is only the second time I’ve ran flat out since the IAAF World Relays after tearing my hamstring so I’m really happy with how it went.

“My first part of the race wasn’t great but I finished strong and took some good scalps there – it’s promising and I’m looking forward to having a better summer this year.

“Sub-10’s a big thing for me this year and a dream season would be making the World Champs final, there’s a lot more to do until then. I can’t wait to crack on with some fast 200m’s now.”

Jazmin Sawyers – 20, Stoke, Commonwealth silver medallist – Long Jump WINNER – 6.44m SB.

“I’m really pleased – this time of the year, that kind of a jump is really promising. The crowd being so close really helped – I’ve never done this kind of competition before so to have everybody right next to you was great, they really get behind you as they feel a part of it. My series was really consistent so I’m over the moon. I want to be in Beijing – I’m ready to step up to the world stage.”

Tiffany Porter – 27, World 100m hurdles bronze medallist – 100m Hurdles WINNER – 12.86

“I’m happy I was able to come away with the win today, there was a bit of a headwind and it was really cold.

“I always say it’s really special to be able to run in this incredible event – the energy you feel from the crowd is amazing.”

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