Smith sets his sights on the World Junior Championships

Apr 30 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

MEOLS teenager Chris Smith has set his sights on the World Junior Championships after being given a helping hand by double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.

The 19-year-old was one of 40 youngsters handpicked to take part in a ten-day educational camp in Loughborough as part of Holmes’ Norwich Union funded ‘On Camp with Kelly’ scheme, which included boys for the first time.

The Wirral AC star made the most of his opportunity narrowly missing out on the 600m ‘On Camp with Kelly’ title after finishing second behind Beijing-hopeful Andrew Osagie in a time of 1.21.76 minutes during Saturday’s mock championships.

And after seeing Holmes at close quarters in Loughborough – the Birmingham University 800m runner insists he is hungry to qualify for July’s World Junior Championships in Poland.

“I have got to get on the team for the World Junior Championships in Poland and hopefully I can do that,” said Smith, who was also instructed on topics such as injury prevention, hydration, nutrition, medical issues and anti-doping by current and former Team GB stars such as Becky Lyne and Anthony Whiteman.

“That is the main target and the camp will help a great deal. It is amazing being with someone like Kelly, she really has done everything.

“I’m looking to compete in the world juniors in Poland in the 800m and the 4x400m relay or in the 400m and the relay, if it all goes to plan. It’s amazing how much you can learn in a few days it’s just been so intense and so professional and we’re learning from the best in the business.

“My idol was Kelly Holmes when I was growing up. I was actually on holiday when she won her two gold medals and I made sure that I was in front of the television when they were on, I wouldn’t have missed them for the world.”

Holmes masterminded the Norwich Union-funded scheme in 2004, with her initial crop including the likes of 800m 2007 British No.5 Laura Finucane, who is hoping to qualify for the Beijing Olympic in August.

And two-time Commonwealth champion, Holmes, is confident she can instil a similar winning mentality in Smith and the rest of the boys.

“The difference between the boys and girls right now is that the girls believe in themselves and want to be better and better, they don’t just want to be the best in Britain anymore,” said Holmes.

“But the boys still have the mentality that if they are the best in Britain that is great.

“It isn’t all of them but you can see the difference as the girls get stuck in and don’t come up with the same excuses as the boys. They don’t moan about sore knees and bumps and it is interesting to sit down with them and talk about that.

“I think with the boys you have to help them move to the next level and make them believe they are the ones who will be looked at as role models.

“ They are the people Britain are looking at to step up and produce the goods.”

Norwich Union is working with Kelly Holmes to prepare future champions through her successful mentoring scheme, 'On Camp with Kelly'.

Now in its fourth year, the educational camp will see a trial introduction of boys to the programme