Toni Minichiello coach of Olympic heptathlon gold medal candidate Jessica Ennis is delighted next month she will face world class opposition in her first major outdoor competition of the year at the Powerade CityGames, Manchester.
Ennis competing in one of her strongest events the 100 metres hurdles will face reigning Olympic champion Dawn Harper of the United States at the unique street athletics meeting on Sunday 20 May.
Minichiello determined to ensure Ennis has the best possible competitive build up before the summer's London Olympics gets underway, sees her appearance in Manchester as a first positive step in her schedule.
"It's very rare that she gets the chance to compete against the world's best individual performers in an individual event rather than just fellow heptathletes, so this is a great opportunity," said Minichiello.
"It will be a daunting task taking on an Olympic gold medallist and
other top hurdlers and I'm sure such a high profile head-to-head will in her
first big race of the summer, fetch out the very best in her.
"The competition couldn't come at a better time just a week before she returns to defend her Gotzis title in Austria where almost every world class heptathlete is scheduled to be in the line up.
"Jess's training is going well and last Saturday at a meeting in Cosford she produced her best ever start to any previous season in the javelin when throwing 45.66 metres.
"Jess is now determined to perform well in Manchester. It will be tough a race but she needs to take on the very best opposition in the world in her Olympic build up, so this is a great opportunity for her.
"The competition couldn't come at a better time just a week before she returns to defend her Gotzis title in Austria where almost every world class heptathlete is scheduled to be in the line up.
"Jess's training is going well and last Saturday at a meeting in Cosford she produced her best ever start to any previous season in the javelin when throwing 45.66 metres.
"Jess is now determined to perform well in Manchester. It will be tough a race but she needs to take on the very best opposition in the world in her Olympic build up, so this is a great opportunity for her.
Minichiello added: "She's faced World silver medallist Danielle
Carruthers and the likes of Tiffany Porter before. But this will be her first
ever clash with Harper. It's a tough call at this level but that's the nature of
the beast."
Ennis's fellow British international Gemma Bennett is also taking
part in the BBC televised race with another overseas athlete yet to be added to
the field.
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