Jackson shrugs off health scare to take plunge at Ponds Forge

YORKSHIRE'S Olympic and world championship medallist Jo Jackson will compete in next week's British Championships in Sheffield despite a health concern hanging over her that could spell the end of her promising career.

The 23-year-old from Northallerton, who won bronze in Beijing and three medals in Rome last year, suffered a serious bout of asthma this winter which cut a 27-week training schedule down to five weeks.

Anti-doping rules prevent her from being automatically eligible for the oral treatment Xolair because she does not make regular hospital visits, leaving Jackson waiting to hear whether she can get special dispensation.

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Jackson heads to Ponds Forge for a meet that doubles as the first of two Commonwealth Games trials, merely hoping to fulfil her schedule of the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle.

"I've never been through anything like this and it's been quite scary," said Jackson, who broke the 400m world record at the championships last year.

"I've had asthma before but it's never been as severe and I've never experienced the panic that comes with not knowing how to handle it.

"I'm receiving physio treatment twice a day because I'm breathing so hard while trying to train that my ribs keep popping out. I'm desperate to train well and get back to my best but it's hard given my health. I have no expectation of myself in Sheffield. I'm training the best I can but realistically I have a long way to go to be near my best.

"I am aiming for the Commonwealth Games in October and will be targeting qualification events later in the year."