Dominique vows to keep Blaize-ing on (From Kingston Guardian)

Dominique vows to keep Blaize-ing on

4:00pm Friday 6th July 2012 in Athletics

Kingston AC & Polytechnic Harrier Dominique Blaize may have missed out on the 2012 Olympics, but she has already set her sights on Rio 2016, writes Hana Hausmeister.

The 24-year-old finished fifth in the long jump at last week’s Aviva UK Athletics National Championships and Olympic Trials to miss out on the London Games, with a leap of 6.35m.

Blaize had hoped for better after recently setting a new personal best of 6.45m, but the experience has not put her off attempting to make the grade in four years’ time.

“I’m hoping to jump further, as you always do,” she said.

“I had a really good competition schedule planned and two weekends before the festival I jumped my personal best, but it didn’t happen on the day as I hoped it would.

“I’m excited to see who ups their game really, on the Brit side of things.

“2016 is still four years away and a lot can happen in four years, so I’m trying not to think that far ahead, but think about the smaller steps in between.

“It is in Rio and I can do with a suntan, so fingers crossed.”

Blaize, who works full-time for Tolworth-based Sports for Schools, has the UK women’s league and Cork International meeting to look forward to before resting in September.

“Inspiring kids to take up sport, is what I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” she added.

“They organise events where schoolchildren get to meet elite athletes and take part in training sessions.

“I’ve not been very free recently, so a few nights out are definitely on the cards.”