Jessica Ennis will feature more prominently than most other competitors in the Athletics Betting markets ahead the London 2012 Olympic Games athletics programme, and she has been backed for gold by a former great.
The 26-year-old from Sheffield is the current European and former world heptathlon champion and is preparing for the summer games by competing in the 200m, long jump, high jump and 100m hurdles at the Team GB trials – her final competitive appearance before the Olympics.
Ennis lost her heptathlon world title to Russia’s Tatyana Chernova in Daegu, South Korea, last year and it was her old nemesis of the javelin that wrecked her chances of reclaiming world championship gold.
The Brit got the better of her opponent in five of the seven events, but it was a superior javelin throw that gave the Russian the edge, and those with a Betfair Olympics Free Bet may consider selecting Chernova.
Ennis herself has stated she expects to have to extend her British record in order to win gold in front of a passionate home crowd and the women she overtook in the record books, Sydney Olympics gold medallist Denise Lewis, has backed the multi-eventer to triumph in London.
Lewis claims Ennis has “given herself every opportunity” to win gold with how she has prepared and is expecting big things come the athletics programme at the Olympic Games.
“Jess has shown what she is capable of and I think there is still more to come,” said Lewis.
“Anything less than gold would be a shame and a disappointment. She’s the ultimate heptathlete – she’s physically strong and mentally very tough.”
Ennis has bounced back from that world championship disappointment to record personal bests in both the javelin and 200m last month, so she is looking a stronger and more determined heptathlete as she goes for gold in London.