Jones excited about 1500m final chance (From Gazette Series)

Jones excited about 1500m final chance

11:10am Friday 7th September 2012 in London Olympics 2012 - Latest News

TEENAGER Jade Jones is raring to go for today’s 1500m final having put aside earlier disappointments at her debut Paralympic Games.

The Middlesborough runner goes for glory in T54 class after qualifying safely from her heat in a time of 3:32.60minutes.

Jones admitted that her mind had been in the wrong place after failing to qualify from her 400m heat on Monday, clocking a pedestrian time of 59.14secs compared with her personal best 55.91.

But having returned to the training track the 16-year-old picked herself up to yesterday qualify fifth fastest of all of the finalists.

Her qualifying performance gives her an outside chance of a medal in front of a home crowd in the Olympic Stadium.

“It was a good race,” said the New Marske athlete of her 1500m heat.

“I knew I was going to have to be fast to make it as one of the fastest losers with there being such top women in it.

“Before we went out on to the track all the girls agreed that we would take it out hard and then all of us would make the final which is what happened so that’s good.

“We all worked together to make sure we could get through.

“The week has gradually got better over time which is good and I’m really excited about the final.

“My preparation has been a lot better for this one.

“My mind was really in the wrong place after the 400m, I wasn’t too pleased with my performance but it’s gradually got better so I’m feeling good now.”

Jones, who trains in Clariville, was pleased to preserve some energy in qualifying.

“It was comfortable, I felt good out there and I’m glad I didn’t take too much out of myself for the final.

“I just need to get a lot of rest in and we’ll just have to see how the final goes now. I’m excited.”

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