Kelly Sotherton plans golden age

By Richard Lewis, sundaymirror.co.uk 2/03/2008

Kelly Sotherton has laughed off suggestions she is "over the hill" because she is in her thirties.

Sotherton bids for the first global title of her career in the pentathlon at the World Indoor Championships in Valencia on Friday - and she will be the favourite in the absence of injured Swede Carolina Kluft.

Olympic heptathlon bronze medal list Sotherton is determined to land a gold medal in the countdown to Beijing but she said: "I have read in some articles, '31'. They always mention my age. Yeah, I am 31.

"Most people are ending their careers now, but I know I have another four or five years left."

Sotherton clocked the fastest time by a Briton over 400m this year at the Norwich Union Grand Prix in Birmingham last month and she said: "It's the impression I get that I shock people, like I did by running that 400m.

"I wasn't surprised and neither was my coach. People think I am over the hill, but I am probably only 24 or 25 in athletics years.

"Going into the summer as an indoor champion would show I mean business."

Sotherton is not the only British athlete likely to be on the podium. Other top medal hopes include: Men's 60m: Dwain Chambers and Simeon Williamson. High Jump: Samson Oni.

Long Jump: Chris Tomlinson. Triple Jump: Phillips Idowu.