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Katharine looks forward to her race in Nice and reflects on the season so far:

"I'm looking forward to the race, alhtough obviously I'm a little bit nervous as there are a couple of girls who I haven't raced before.  Seeing Perec in her first 400 since 1996 should be interesting, she opened well in Lausanne over 200m, with a sub-23s race.  She's the dark horse of the race, but hopefully I can take her out.  Ogunkoya didn't look too good in Lausanne, but if she runs she'll be dangerous, because she's always quick when she's on form.

If the weather's good, the race should be quick and I'm looking to win. If I go sub-50 it'll be nice, but I won't be going into the race looking for it.  With the way I'm racing at the moment, I htink it's only a matter of time before the first sub-50 comes along.

I've been racing quite a lot for me, but it seems to be working and I'll keep the races coming until September.

Obvioulsy Cathy Freeman (the Australian favourite) is the one who everyone will be looking out for at the olympics.  She ran really well in Lausanne, which didn't surprise me and she looks very strong.  I htink hse revels in the pressure that is on her at the omoent - but she's a tough girl and she always seems to rise to the occasion.

I'm very much looking forward to the European Cup in Gateshead, especially as I've already beaten Grit Breuer (the European Champion.) Training's going well, alhtough it's had to take a back seat with racing. I'm not doing that many sessions, but they are all of good quality and we're beginning to put a bit more speed work in now.

I know I'm in good shape and hopefully I can carry on the winning performances through to September."

Katharine looks forward to the season ahead...

...So I start on Sunday with a race in Loughborough. I am looking forward to it.  Having now formally moved up to the 400m event, I feel the pressure is off as it's not my event anymore.  So hopefully I can start with a good race, then keep the races coming.  I will do some more 200's before I start my 400's. Linford and Ron want to keep the 400's fresh for me. September is a fair way off so I don't wnat to become bored with them in this long season.  It's encouraging that the guys are starting to run too, Darren opening well with his first few races. I'll ask him to rub some speed off onto me, Jamie and Paul!!
                                                                            Thanks www.nuff-respect.co.uk

...'Although I plan to race almost every weekend, most of my races will probably be over 100 or 200 metres. Neither I nor Linford want me to get bored with too many 400's.  I'll probably run my first one in a month's time.' [Katharine went on to run 50.71 in Helsinki.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                               The Express

..'I feel a little bit like I'm starting again, in a funny way, I've had enough years of injuries and stuff.  But I've trained hard for the 400's this winter and I'm stronger and fitter than I've ever been. I'm looking for big improvements.  Yeah, Cathy Cook's British record is certainly a target.'

...'I'll be absolutely devastated if I don't get under 50 seconds this year with all the work I've done. I'll need to be running a lot faster than that come september.'
                                                                                                       The Independent

... and September's Sydney Olympics

...She tested the waters in Seville when she finished fifth in the 400m final in her first year at the event, a splendid acheivement, and has just returned from three months of warm-weather work with Linford Christie and his group of athletes in Australia, feeling as good as ever.
'I have never trained so well,' said Merry. 'I am determined to progress this summer because last year I just tinkered with the 400m but am now heading into the season after a full winter's training feeling great.'
'The Olympics will be tough because Cathy Freeman [the Australian favourite] is a great athlete and she will have the home support.  But I would like to think I can build on what I did last year.'
                                                                                               Thanks www.iaaf.org

...'[The Olympic 400m final] is going to be huge [in Australia.] I hope I can gate-crash the party at Sydney.  But if I do I don't think I'd hang around. I'd get out of there pretty quick!'
                                                                                                       The Independent

21st May: Katharine moves house in hunt for Olympic glory
Katharine Merry is preparing to move her base from Birmingham to Cardiff in her attempt to secure a medal at the Olympics.
  The 25 year old Midlander revealed her plans after easing to 200m victory in 23.22 seconds, 0.11 seconds better than her two-year-old meeting record.
  And she emphasised her decision had nothing to do with the traumas being suffered by her housemate, Ashia Hansen, whose boyfrinds Chris cotter was among three men arrested last week by Midland police investigating complaints that Cotter was the victim of a racist attack in March.
  'I planned to go back to Cardiff before all this happened, Ashia's the best. I wouldn't leave her for a reason like that.  But she's a strong girl and I want to be able to continue training with the boys.'
  Merry is clear she's hunting for a home for one - but she says she wants to live close to Darren Campbell, Jamie Baulch and Paul Gray because they get on so well together 'on a personal level' as well as in training.
  'It's Olympic year, drastic measures are needed. Moving house is the least I can do. It was Cardiff or London, and Cardiff's where my boys are!'
                                                                                      Thanks Athletics Weekly