Agency reports
8 May 2000Britain's European 400 metres champion Iwan Thomas, out of action through
injury for the past 18 months, hopes to return to action next month.
Thomas, who won the 1998 European, Commonwealth and World Cup titles, has been sidelined
since a cyst was discovered in his ankle and then a stress fracture diagnosed during
rehabilitation.
"Everyone has written me off and to be honest I like that because it means there is
no pressure on me and I have the chance to prove people wrong,'' he said on Monday.
"I will probably race in a few low-key events overseas towards the end of June and then come back to Britain for the (Olympic) trials.''
Back in full time training after his injury nightmare,
Thomas spoke of the depression he felt after he was ruled out of the
entire 1999 season. "It has been so hard over the last year. There have been times
when I have been really depressed and it has been really difficult for my family,'' he
said.
"I am one of those guys who is either really up or really down and, I won't lie, there have been times when I was really down during that time.
"It must have been a nightmare for my friends and
family because you begin to wonder if you will ever be back,'' Thomas said. ``But I have
turned the corner now and feel that I am fit and getting stronger all the time.''