European gold remains within sights of Ennis

Sheffield’s Ennis was yesterday named in a 32-strong Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for next week’s event in Paris, even though she is not fully fit.

But van Commenee knows from personal experience that World and European heptathlon champion Ennis may well have to get used to that situation ahead of next year’s Games.

Ennis, who is scheduled to compete in the pentathlon in Paris, pulled out of the second day of the European trials and the Aviva Grand Prix this month with a “niggling” ankle problem.

Van Commenee said: “I have coached a few multi-event athletes (including heptathletes Kelly Sotherton and Denise Lewis) and this is part of the business. You don’t go into a championship fully fit a lot of the time.

“It’s good mental preparation but she is not going to take a physical risk. It’s very likely she will compete (in Paris). We think she has enough time and she is convinced she will be ready.”