| Lewis back on track but ponders Games |
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By LEE GASKIN Canberra Times January 30,2010 Fifteen-time national champion Tamsyn Lewis will kickstart her 2010 campaign in Canberra today, but security concerns in India will delay a decision on her availablity for October's Commonwealth Games.The 31-year-old heads a star-studded field, including world championships bronze medal-winning long jumper Mitchell Watt and sprint king Patrick Johnson, for the Australia Cup meet at the Australian Institute of Sport.Just where this year takes Lewis is uncertain, as the risk of a possible terrorist attack in India weighs heavily on her mind."You probably won't know what the security is like until a week out from the Games," Lewis said yesterday. "At this stage I'm undecided."I'm confident we'll get good information from the security team so we can make a decision."Lewis already has three Commonwealth Games gold medals in her collection, all as a part of the 4x400m relay team from 1998-2006. Lewis is due to line up in both the 400m and 400m hurdles today, however her entry in the hurdles will depend on how she pulls up from the earlier one-lap race.Lewis wasn't sure what to expect in her first outing of the year, considering she is in the middle of a heavy training block.Should the Victorian decide to double up, her biggest challenge will come from in-form ACT runner Lauren Boden. The reigning two-time Canberra Gift ladies champion recorded her second Commonwealth Games qualifier last week and will relish the opportunity for revenge. "It's a very exciting opportunity to race Tamsyn on my home track," Boden said. "Hopefully I'll do a time in the 56 second range and put a great show."Beijing Olympics medal-winning walker Jared Tallent will use today's season-opening meet to return to competition ahead of next month's national titles.The 5000m distance is the ideal way for the 25-year-old Canberran to ease his way back before embarking on the longer hauls later in the year. Tallent took home silver in the 50km event and bronze in the 20km distance at the 2008 Games."I'm a bit nervous, [I] haven't raced in so long," Tallent said."My focus is on the 20km and 50km because they're at the big events. The Commonwealth Games is 20km and I have the World Cup in May, which is 50km."It's always good to race over 5km, get that extra speed ... more intensity helps you for that 20km distance."TODAYAustralia Cup at the AIS track, Bruce. Racing begins at 3pm, Tickets available at the gate. |