Fifton eyes 2012

Last season was one of redemption for Fifton, eager to show that he was back to his best following almost three years of injury – namely to his ankle and hamstring. 

And the 26-year-old went some way to doing just that, making the 100m and 200m finals at the UK Championships and finishing fifth and seventh respectively.

In the years building up to 2011 Fifton nearly walked away from the sport as injury hit hard, but after last season’s comeback he admits more determined than ever to prove his worth.

“I haven’t done any indoor competitions this year because I have just been putting in some much-needed training,” said Fifton, speaking at the Balfour Beatty London Youth Games schools finals.

“Last year was just about getting back on the track and racing again and this year it is about continuing to move forward as last year my times weren’t that competitive.

“In the three years before I had everything – among them hamstring and ankle problems – everything seemed to come at once.

“I did think about things aside from athletics and it all really got to me around 2010 and 2011 but I spoke to my family about where my future lay and they said if you still have the passion for it you have to keep going.

“If I didn’t think I had a chance of qualifying for the Olympics I wouldn’t be running. I do think I have a chance and I have had a really positive start to the season and I’m looking forward to it.”

Balfour Beatty have agreed to support the London Youth Games through to at least 2015, meaning £1.1 million worth of funding post-2012 and a total contribution of £2.5m since 2007.