Ace long jumper Anju George will begin preparations for the Athens Olympics with a three-month training schedule in Bangalore from December 1.
"My goal is a gold. Unless you aim for the gold you cannot hope to win a medal," Anju, who qualified for the Olympics long jump with a 6.70 metre effort, which earned her a bronze medal at the Paris World Championship, said in Chennai on Saturday, after inaugurating the 'Reebok Specialty Store'.
After training in Bangalore, she is slated to compete in the European Grand Prix and Golden League Championship.
Also Read
Anju's leap of faith
The long road to glory
I went all out for a medal: Anju George
"After these two events I will only focus on the Olympics," she said.
To a question, Anju replied if necessary she would again utilize the services of legendary long jumper Mike Powell, who had trained her earlier this year for six months.
About the country's overall medal prospects at the coming Olympics, Anju felt the chances of winning medals in tennis, weightlifting and shooting are bright.
Lauding the Jayalalithaa government's support to Tamil Nadu sportspersons, she said, "The Chief Minister is very keen that sportspersons in the state do well and is encouraging not only me but all sportspersons."
