VAN COMMENEE CONFIDENT FARAH WILL PERFORM WELL IN ISTANBUL By David Martin
Other medal possibilities such as Phillips Idowu, Chris Tomlinson and Jenny Meadows will be absentees from the meeting but van Commenee recognises their 2012 priorities.
UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee is confident Mo Farah will perform well when competing at next month's World Indoor Championships. ©Victah Sailer
Farah was non committal about his participation after a shock defeat at the hands of Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge in their 3000 metres clash at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham on Saturday.
But van Commenee is adamant that last summer's World 5000 gold medallist will have plenty of fire in his belly to shine and make amends at the distance when the WIC get underway in Istanbul on 9 March.
Van Commenee naming the US based athelete in the 39-strong Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the trip to Turkey, said: (He) is preparing for the world indoor champs just like any other athlete.
"He was selected and that's the scenario we're working from," he added of one of the country's favourites to win a gold medal at this summer's London Olympic Games.
Van Commenee insisted: "It's quite normal that athletes get beaten. It's quite healthy as well five months before the Games, so there's no reason to be concerned.
"If athletes remain unbeaten for a number of years, the moment they get beaten is coming closer every day so that's out of the way now. I've got no concerns whatsoever.
"There's this assumption that Mo is unbeatable but that assumption is only in Britain. I don't think in Kenya or Ethiopia people will take the same view.
"It will happen every now and then, as we saw in Daegu. I think something can be learnt from there."
The WIC will see Dwain Chambers and Jessica Ennis bidding to retain their 60 metres and pentathlon titles while there are high hopes Holly Bleasdale will trump a medal in the pole vault.
Other medal possibilities such as Phillips Idowu, Chris Tomlinson and Jenny Meadows will be absentees from the meeting but van Commenee recognises their 2012 priorities.
"The World Indoor Championships is not an event people peak for," he said. "In an Olympic year when you're not 100 per cent fit, it can be a jeopardy to your preparation for the Games which tells you something about how important it is really.
"I find it a useful event to get information to see how the athletes perform on that stage.
"It's not the beginning or end of all things which is why I'm not setting any targets for this championship.
"I find it interesting to see how athletes will manifest themselves and see how the younger athletes perform.
"It's not that if the team does great we'll be over the moon and ready for London. At the same time, if we're not doing great, it's not a reason to panic."
David Martin
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