Hansen set to begin Olympics bid

Hansen is a former European Indoor champion

Birchfield Harriers' triple jumper Ashia Hansen is to make her comeback next month as she bids to qualify for the Olympic Games in Beijing.

The 36-year-old has suffered a series of injuries since badly damaging her knee while competing in Poland in 2004.

But she is now ready to compete at a meeting in Crete on 7 June.

Hansen told BBC WM: "I really am nervous but I'm looking forward to it. It's not a big meeting in comparison to Grands Prix, but it is for me."

The double world indoor champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist will have to reach the Olympic qualifying standard of 14.20m to make the team.

She added: "I had a fantastic training stint out in Italy; I was absolutely knackered for the whole two weeks!

"All I did was train, eat and sleep, I was really that tired constantly. But I was able to do the majority of the training and now I'm winding down for the competition in Crete."