LACENA GOLDING-CLARKEOPELIKA, Alabama, CMC:
JAMAICAN OLYMPIANS Davian Clarke and his wife, Lacena Golding-Clarke, are ready for the challenges the 2005 outdoor season has in store for them.
Clarke, who finished sixth in the 400 metres, and Golding-Clarke, who clocked a near personal best 12.73 seconds in the sprint hurdles at the Athens Olympics, are both preparing for a tough 2005 season with similar goals in mind - winning a medal at this summer's Helsinki World Championships.
Despite her finals showing at her third Olympics, Golding-Clarke is not entirely happy with her hurdling technique.
"I'm not so technically sound coming off the hurdles. I have to learn to control my speed and technique," Golding-Clarke admitted. A self-professed quick starter, she pointed out that the last five hurdles was where she needed the most improvement.
After a few seasons with bests in the low 45s, 2004 signalled a comeback for her husband after his 45.92 seconds dash in Budapest, to claim the World Indoor silver behind Grenadian ace Alleyne Francique.
The Ralph Spry-coached Clarke said he was enjoying the attention his event had received in recent months, with the exploits of youngsters Lashawn Merritt and Kerron Clement both of whom have the two fastest indoor 400 metres times.
However, the former Jamaican national champion is not bothered by this.
"When I was starting out, the only guy anyone was paying attention to was Michael Johnson," Clarke pointed out.
"Now there are 10 or 15 of us within a step or two of each other. Everyone has a shot. I'm just hoping to have a shot too."
Clarke said that in order to get his race rhythm more adequately in tune for Helsinki, he had made a few training adjustments.
"Last year I peaked and ran my personal best at the Olympics, but I want to peak sooner this year," he noted. "You need to know you can handle the pace, so I want to peak a little earlier."
He added: "That's also my goal. I wasn't able to get them at the Olympics.
"In Athens, I went out a bit too conservatively and had a lot left. My goal now is staying closer to the field."
