Steel City test awaits Bernard

Martyn Bernard’s road to a home Olympics begins next month in Sheffield when his reconstructed ankle will get its first litmus test.

The Wakefield high jumper – an Olympic finalist in Beijing and a former European and Commonwealth medalist – endured a frustrating 2011 when an ankle injury seriously undermined his challenge.

He was still feeling the effects of surgery at the World Championships in Daegu and then lost his world class funding support from UK Sport in the autumn.

But the doughty Wakefield Harrier has not let such disappointments get the better of him.

Like all good athletes he has retreated to the shadows of the training paddock – for him that is at Lee Valley In London – in a bid to bounce back stronger in this most important of years for British Olympians.

And if he is to trump UK Sport who perceived him to be undeserving of financial backing in 2012, then the next couple of months will be crucial to his bid.

The first stop is the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on February 11-12 for the Aviva Indoor UK Trials and Championships. Register a jump of 2.29m in the Steel City and he will book his spot at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul on March 9-11.

“The main ambition is the Olympics of course but Istanbul is very important first up,” said Bernard, who was national indoor champion in 2006 and 07.

“Sheffield is the one and only opportunity to qualify and I can’t wait to get going.

“And I go into it off the back of a strong winter of training.”

Persistent ankle injuries ruined his chances of competing in Athens in 2004 as a raw 19-year-old. But eight years later, Bernard is determined not to let lightning strike twice.

He said: “With high jump it’s important to be technically sound. So my focus has been on strengthening the ankle after the injury I suffered.

“I’d also had some niggling knee injuries to overcome, so rather than compete, and cram my schedule with events, it’s been more important for me to train.

“The ankle has been sorted and technically I’ve been trying to perfect it in training.

“Now I’m just looking forward to getting out there and putting it to the test.

“I competed last year after the operation, the ankle just wasn’t very strong.

“I still managed 2.28m out in Daegu after the operation.

“Last year was frustrating but it’s all part of the steps you have to take.

“There’s been various changes but I’m staying positive.

“It’s important after a year like that to not go backwards, to not fall any further.

“I dealt with the funding issue at the time and moved on quickly.

“In an Olympic year you have to remain positive, to keep your mind focussed on what’s important.

“Training is going well, it hasn’t been hindered, and I’m very happy with where I am at the minute.

“Hopefully, now I’ve had that winter training behind me the ankle will be ship shape.”

Living and training in London has afforded Bernard the chance to enjoy the buzz of the Olympics.

But as a proud Yorkshireman and a regular visitor in schools to conduct sports talks with children, he is keen to return to his old stomping ground to feel the full force of the Olympic movement.

“I’m just excited about the whole experience,” he said.

“I even want to be a torch bearer through the streets of Yorkshire, that would be superb.”

You can follow Bernard on Twitter, @Martynbernard