Malcolm hungers for track return

Christian Malcolm says he is ready to fulfil his potential

Sprinter Christian Malcolm says he has put his injury-ravaged season behind him and is expecting great things.

The Welshman suffered two hamstring tears last year, hobbling out of the Commonwealth Games and then the AAA Championships last July.

But Malcolm believes an intense period of rehabilitation under the direction of Linford Christie has born fruit.

"I'm injury-free, I've had a good winter with a lot of rehab and I'm feeling good," said the 27-year-old.

Malcolm has long been involved with the Nuff Respect stable of athletes under the tutelage of Christie.

But Malcolm went full-time under the 1992 Olympic Games 100m gold medallist last year when Malcolm's long-time coach Jock Anderson retired.

I'm hungrier now than I've ever been for the simple reason that I want to fulfil my potential Christian Malcolm

"This has been my first winter with my new coach, it seems to be going well and we've worked a lot more on power and strength," Malcolm said.

"That seems to be a major thing that I needed to develop.

"I've always been good on the technical side and my speed, but the all-round conditioning was what I really needed.

"I know I've had my problems but my passion for athletics is still strong and I'm beginning to learn how to erase those problems.

"Now I need competition but I won't be doing an indoor season, I'll probably start my outdoor season early in April."

Malcolm, who competes in both the 100m and 200m, took 200m silver at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 2001 World Indoor Championships.

But despite also enjoying success as a junior and at European level Malcolm has never quite been able to build on that early promise.

"I'm hungrier now than I've ever been for the simple reason that I want to fulfil my potential," Malcolm added.

"I've missed out on so much in this sport and I need to get there, knuckle down and do what I need to do."