Lewis-Francis boxing clever for Olympic challenge
Mark Lewis-Francis is psyching himself up for the Olympics by watching the classic boxing film 'When We Were Kings' – and believes he is capable of reigning supreme in the 100 metres.
The 21-year-old Birmingham sprinter is confident he is in shape both physically and mentally to finally make his mark on the senior world stage.
He has been getting himself in the mood for the Games’ blue riband event by watching the film of boxing’s golden age in the 1970s with such heavyweight greats as Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and Joe Frazier.
“Dave Collins, a psychologist on the team gave me a DVD last night of ‘When We Were Kings’ and there is a clip in there which I will keep reminding myself of,” said Lewis-Francis.
“I can’t reveal what the clip is or else everyone will use it.
“I have got to thank Dave, my ‘shrink’ as the media like to call him, he is a great guy and I get a lot out of talking to him on a one-to-one basis.”
Lewis-Francis, who has yet to fulfil the promise he showed as a junior, will have to be in the form of his life if he is to make it to the Olympic final, let alone win a medal against the likes of defending champion Maurice Greene and in-form Asafa Powell.
At Crystal Palace a fortnight ago he and his British team-mates failed to even make the final against those men but Lewis-Francis dismissed that race as meaningless.
“I couldn’t get myself up for Crystal Palace because I didn’t want to run well and then walk away thinking there is nothing to improve on,” he said.
“I think I have had a great season so far and have run well when I needed to run well, especially as every race has been in rubbish conditions.
“I am excited. I feel quicker. I feel stronger. I feel better. There are a few things which need to be worked on but that’s all right because I don’t want to be perfect at this stage.
“People keep forgetting that I am still only 21 and this is my first Olympics, but I feel in the best shape of my life. This time last year going into the World Championships I was knackered but this time I feel a lot more motivated. I am ready to roll and if I am not up for this then I may as well quit.
“All I need to do is treat every round as if it is the final and get into the final. That is my aim.”
Lewis-Francis is glad to be in the heat of Cyprus at last preparing to move on to Athens, and part of his training includes jumping into an ice bath after each session in a bid to protect his body against injury.
He added: “I feel really happy here. I feel loose waking up to some sun in the mornings. It is what I have been waiting for.”
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