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Jessica Ennis ready to be the face of London 2012
Tue 18th Aug 09 - 10:59
Golden girl Jessica Ennis insists she can handle the pressure of being The Face of British athletics heading into the London Olympics.
Heptathlon glory in Berlin has catapulted the Sheffield star with the winning smile into the public eye.
Her heroics make Ennis a surefire bet to be named BBC Sports personality of the Year in her home city in December.
And no less a figure than Olympic heptathlon legend Denise Lewis reckons she has what it takes to lift the sport to new heights.
Even Prime Minister Gordon Brown emailed his congratulations yesterday, saying the 23-year-old had done the Steel City proud.
Ennis said: "This weekend I've learned that I had a lot of pressure and a lot of expectation from everyone, and I was able to control that and deliver.
"That's great practice for 2012. Hopefully I can do the same in London."
Ennis won $60,000 for her gold-medal performance, but that is peanuts to what she can expect to make in endorsements.
Not only does she have an exceptional talent at seven different sporting disciplines, she can charm the birds from the trees. Her success is remarkable given that, at just 5ft 4in, she is one of the smallest heptathletes of all time.
But she has one of the biggest hearts and it was her courage and iron will, first seen when she fought back from a career-threatening injury last year, which brought her gold.
"When she was injured last year Jess learned what it takes to be a champion, what you must overcome," said Lewis. "She is ready to take the mantle on, and take it beyond where I could."
Ennis withdrew from the 100m hurdles yesterday, citing aching limbs. "My legs feel so heavy," she said. "I feel really tired - but I can't stop smiling."
Text The Mirror