Having been held away from competitions for six months due to injuries Joachim B. Olsen stepped back into the ring this Saturday (03) with a solid 21.21m performance.
The scene for his return was set in the town of Elsinore that now in addition to its ancient castle – worldwide known for being the home of Hamlet – has got a brand new multi-sports arena. And so the Danish Prince of Shot Put showed up at the scene of the official opening winning the event more than expectedly.
For the reigning European Indoor Champion the result – his best ever seasonal opening – may give him confidence in order to defend his title in Birmingham in one month’s time. 21.21 is the best by a European this season, and counting his consecutive competitions over 21.00 metres an astonishing 13th.
Moreover the massive Dane most likely could use a personal success after his recent performance at the European Championships in Gothenburg where he missed his first outdoor title by only 3cm to Germany’s Ralf Bartels, keeping him as well out of Europe’s team for the IAAF World Cup . It was also on this occasion that his old groin-injury broke up again forcing him to withdraw from the IAAF Grand Prix Final.
If the 2006 season on a professional level was spoiled by injuries it was indeed highlighted by the birth of his first child, Victoria. This new responsibility is, however, not the only one to occur as Olsen is now without his coach, former international discus thrower Vesteinn Hafsteinnson, who has chosen to settle with his family in Sweden.
Besides his title defence in England the great aim for 2007 naturally is the IAAF World Championships in Osaka - the only major championships where he still hasn’t made it to the victory ceremony.
His next meeting is set to be in – Birmingham – at the IAAF Norwich Union Indoor Grand Prix (17/2).
Jeppe Weinreich for the IAAF
