JOIN USAustralia’s long jump gold medal hopeful Mitch Watt is champing at the bit to get his Olympic campaign underway after seven months sidelined by injury.
Watt was already suffering from the Achilles problem when he finished runner-up behind American Dwight Phillips at the 2011 world championships in Daegu and last competed shortly afterwards at the Diamond League final. The 24-year-old Queenslander will open his Olympic campaign at a meeting on the state's Gold Coast on May 27 before heading to New York for the Diamond League event on June 9. “It’s the first time I’ve competed this year so I’m both a little bit nervous and a little bit excited,” Watt said. “It’s officially the start of my campaign so I can’t wait to jump so I’m counting down the days. I’m definitely more excited than nervous,” Watt added.
Watt had only just returned to athletics when Panama’s Irving Saladino won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008 but a year later the law student was on the podium with a bronze medal around his neck after finishing third at the Berlin world championships. He will therefore be taking part in his first Games in London but his meteoric rise and dazzling Diamond League form last year have made him one of the favourites for gold in August.
“Being one of the favourites for the long jump doesn’t really faze me too much, it just means my competitors are aware of my capabilities,” he added.