After Olympic heptathlon champ Jessica Ennis’ triumph in London, rumors persisted that the hometown hero was looking at paring down her events and focusing on the 100m hurdles. Apparently her coach doesn’t agree.
“I see no reason why she can’t carry on with the heptathlon until Rio 2016 because she’s not had many injuries,” Toni Minichiello told BBC Radio. “She’s got a good team around her and it’s important we keep that team together. I think she’ll definitely be in the heptathlon for the next four years.”
Ennis broke the 100m heptathlon world record in London, finishing in 12.54 seconds, which would have been good enough for fourth just ahead of American Lolo Jones. Ennis probably could have run even faster, too, if pushed to by stronger competitors like Sally Pearson and Dawn Harper, who won gold and silver respectively.
Still, Ennis’ coach believes that just because she won Olympic gold, that doesn’t mean her job as a heptathlete is done.
“We have to find different targets, but motivation comes from within,” Minichiello explained. “I think that 7,000 points is something she’ll want and she’s never won a Commonwealth Games. Plus there’s the World Championships in Moscow next year.”
Does she have any say in the matter?