Malcolm in great shape as he heads towards a place in the history books

Gary Baker on 26/03/2012

Christian Malcolm is fighting fit and ready to make Welsh athletics history if he is selected for the London Olympics this summer.

Sprinter Malcolm can join legendary hurdler Colin Jackson as the only men from the Principality to have competed in four Olympics.

And, although the former European Championships 200m silver medallist is hardly likely to be around for that fifth Games in Rio four years from now, his long-term mentor and coach Jock Anderson believes the double Olympic finalist is in great shape for London and beyond that!

Malcolm, 32, should land a relay spot at least in the British team but Anderson thinks he may get an individual place, with the prospect of racing against Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt again after they ran alongside each other in the Beijing Games 200m final in 2008.

London was also planned as the Newport athlete's swansong from the sport but Malcolm may reconsider, and Anderson said there is plenty still in his tank.

Anderson said: "I think he can go another year at least and maybe even go to the next Commonwealth Games (in 2014 in Glasgow).

"He is in good form and good shape. He is running well and he ran a good time in the indoors in the 60m (6.68secs at the European Trials) which is the best he has done for a few years.

"I don't see any reason why he can't get in the Olympic team in the relay.

"If he goes in the individual, I'm sure he should make the semi-finals at least and anything can happen after that. He could go all the way again to the final."

Anderson spoke to Malcolm, who is training not far away from the Olympic Stadium in London with his coach Dan Pfaff and their squad, earlier this month and the sprinter seemed happy enough.

"He said he is training hard and has been going well with Dan Pfaff. He has had a good winter although he didn't train for the indoor season. He has had no injuries, which is a blessing, so he is in good shape."

Malcolm has sharpened up for his Olympic attempt with a series of races over 60m including the European Trials in Sheffield where he came fourth.

And one more crack at the Games over his specialist 200m for a fourth Olympic appearance would be incredible.

Anderson added: "Not many other people have done four Olympics so, if Christian was selected, it would be something extremely special and the icing on the cake of a good career - even though it is not over yet!"

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