MCCAIN JUMPS AND THROWS FEST: Morse looking to put horrible 2012 behind him

BRETT Morse has realised he is simply not good enough at international level after what he describes as a thoroughly unpleasant 2012 – but he insists he has the determination to change all that.

ANNUS HORRIBILUS: Brett Morese is looking forward to putting 2012 behind to help him change his fortunes

The 23-year-old was one of three Brits to earn selection for the discus at the London 2012 Olympics, however, only Lawrence Okoye progressed to the final where he finished 12th.

Rather than hang around the Olympic Village until the end of the Games, Morse hot-footed it to Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on Saturday for the McCain Jumps and Throws Fest.

Morse took victory with a best throw of 58.02m – just shy of his performance in qualifying in the Olympic Stadium – however the win did little to change his opinion on the year that has been.

He, probably unsurprisingly, admitted that his head wasn’t right in the West Midlands but believes his performances during all competitions need to be far greater if he is to make an international impact.

Advertisement

“That was terrible to be honest for quite a few reasons. Right now I am still a bit inconsistent with my technique and, after competing at the Olympics, it was always going to be a bit of a downer,” he said.

“I felt in the best physical shape of my life obviously with the Olympic Games having just happened, so I was not out of shape physically, but mentally I am not quite there.

“I just wanted to come and have some fun because the season has not been that enjoyable for me even though I did make it to London, because I wanted to do a lot more when I got there.

“I had such a great 2011 and it just hasn’t happened in 2012 so I just wanted to come and compete with my friends and watch a bit more because that is the reason why I got into athletics in the first place.

“I want to make the World Championships next year but I need to build and I know I still have a lot to improve on physically, mentally and technically.

Advertisement

“In training I am very good technically but in competition I am very bad so I need to sort that out. Next year is huge with the World Championships but the main thing I am looking at is the next Olympics.

“I want to be in with a shout of the medals next time and not just exit before the final. I do this sport to be good and right now I am not good enough.”

And Morse believes the experience of, not just competing at an Olympic Games but an Olympic Games in the UK, will naturally aid him mentally should he scale such heights again.

“I learnt a lot at the Olympics, competing in front of a crowd of 80,000 was just unbelievable. The crowd was amazing and when I wound up before my throw everyone was going crazy,” he added.

“There is never going to be a more high pressure situation like that in my life. So from now on these big champs should be a lot easier and less pressured which is the main thing.”

Advertisement

The McCain Challenge Competition – which covers Indoor, Outdoor track and field and Cross Country – is the country’s premier domestic athletics series. Supported generously by UKA’s Principal Partner McCain, the series provides top quality competition opportunities.