By Laura Wignall
Jade Lally, Britain’s number one female discus thrower, is keenly awaiting qualification confirmation for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games, which will be announced this week.
The three-time British Discus champion from Mitcham has had her National Lottery funding increase this year which has helped her training preparation.
In order to qualify, Lally has to have two B standards (55) or one A (59.5) in 2014 as well as multiple B standards and three As from last year.
Lally was frustratingly left out of the Team GB squad for the London 2012 Games despite being the best British discus thrower.
“I feel I was cheated out of my home games for no good reason.
“You needed an A standard and top two at the trials to automatically go. Or two Bs and top two at the trials which is what I had. On the selection policy, current form is taken into consideration.”
They decided she wouldn’t do well enough on the day so they didn’t select anyone to represent Britain in the female discus event.
“I have to go to an Olympics, full stop. Rio should be my second but instead it will hopefully be my first. I still feel I have a lot to achieve in the sport. I couldn’t walk at from it yet,” she added.
She hopes that being a top-ranked English thrower along with her A and B standard throws will be enough to book her ticket to Glasgow.
Lally said her sporting icon is Jonathan Edwards, who was able to dominate and pressure his rivals for many years.
“I want to walk in and people think they’re fighting for second because I have first place sewn up. I doubt that’s what they felt as favourites but the opposition might well have had these thoughts. And that’s powerful,” she said.
