Sanders has talent to challenge - Merry

Sanders was one half of GB’s 400m breakthrough at the World Championships in Osaka in 2007, when she grabbed silver behind fellow Brit Christine Ohuruogu.

However, that trip to the podium has proved to be a false dawn with Sanders becoming much more acquainted with medics than medals.

But Merry is adamant an injury-free Sanders can challenge on the biggest stage of all.

She said: “The most important thing with all athletes and especially with Nicola is to make sure they are able to stay fit.

“Nicola has had a lot of problems over the last few years with injury which has been very frustrating but if she can avoid that and have a good winter then she can be challenging next summer.

“Nicola is so talented. You don’t run under 49.7 seconds over 400m and win a World Championship silver medal by not being really good.

“You just need Nicola to be able to have that period of time where she can get some good training in.”

While Sanders was labouring to sixth place in her semi-final showdown in South Korea this summer the gold medal was taken by Amantle Montsho.

With the final won in 49.56 seconds, a personal best-equalling run from Sanders would have been good enough for bronze.

Merry said: “The good thing about the 400m for Nicola is that it is so open. There is not really a stand out girl in the world so if Nicola can run as she has done in the past then she is going to be in the mix.

“When you are injured you don’t want people to be taking big leaps forward and leaving you behind. That hasn’t happened for Nicola which is the perfect situation really.

“Amantle Montsho is not running super fast times and so I am just keeping my fingers Nicola can get back fit.”

Katherine Merry was speaking at the Birmingham leg of the ‘nearest & dearest’ roadshow in partnership with P&G – supporting family and friends of all Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes in the lead up to London 2012.

www.pgproudsponsorofmums.co.uk for more information