AUSTRALIA’S best triple jumper, Linda Allen, is selling up her western suburbs gyms to fund her Olympic dream.
She won this month’s Melbourne Track Challenge by jumping 13.7 metres and will compete in next month’s national qualifiers.
Her personal best is 13.82 metres and she needs 14.3 to get to London.
“I’ve got a chance, but it’s not a sure thing,” the 24-year-old says.
“I just want to make the most of the chance I’ve got.”
The former Altona Meadows resident moved to Melbourne from Brisbane to change coach.
She and partner Seth Leverton started their Run With Me gyms two years ago, opening up shop at Altona and Cairnlea. They also operate a Sunshine West franchise.
Allen says all three will be sold in pursuit of gold.
“It’s to sponsor the athletic journey and to put all my eggs in one basket,” she says.
“I look at Sally Pearson and Henry Frayne and they are just 100percent athletes and I think that if I’m really to give the Olympics a shot, I have to put all my eggs in one basket.
“There’s a lot of travel ahead in Europe to try and qualify as well.
“I haven’t realised my full potential yet and I want to keep chasing that.
“Representing the country is definitely one of the major driving forces. An Olympic tracksuit isn’t really something you can buy on eBay or anything like that; it’s just something you can earn.
“Right now, I’m 100percent injury free and I’m running a lot better than I ever have so I want to make the most of it.
“Technically, I’m the best I’ve ever been so I want to make the most of that opportunity while I’ve got it.
“The better I train, the more confidence I have on the runway because I know I’ve done the work and I should be there.
“So, I’ve just really got to get out and do the jump.”
