Commonwealth Games England has announced the selection of the first track and field athlete for England’s 2010 Commonwealth Games team.
 
International race walker Jo Jackson has been selected following her victory in the UK and RWA National 20K Championships at Victoria Park, London, on 11 April. Her winning time of 1hr 39min 14sec was within the guideline time of 1hr 42min a time she also bettered when recording 1hr 32min 37sec at the Gran Premio Citta di Lugano held in Lugano, Switzerland, during March.
 
As a result of her performance Johanna was recommended for selection by England Athletics and this was ratified by Commonwealth Games England.
 
Jo has made rapid progress in race walking having previously been a distance runner – she was a winner of the North Eastern Counties Champs and finished in 12th place in the Under 20 National Cross Country Championships. In 2004 she broke through into race walking and has gone on to be the fastest British woman of all time over both 20K and 10K.
 
Jo, who is coached by Andi Drake and Maureen Jackson, commented, “I'm really excited to be selected for my second Commonwealth Games. Four years ago it was a big learning experience for me but this time round I will be looking for a medal, hopefully gold.

“I've never been out to India, however, I realise racing conditions could be difficult, but they will be the same for everyone. With the right preparations I hope to have a successful Games.”
 
At the last Commonwealth Games Johanna finished 7th but she has lowered her personal best time by a full 10min since then. Last year she was the third fastest Commonwealth athlete over 20K.
 
Craig Hunter, Chef de Mission of the England team in Delhi, said: “We congratulate Johanna on her selection and wish her the very best with her continuing training for Delhi.”
 
England Athletics Team Leader John Brierley said, “It is exciting to have actually started the process of selecting what will undoubtedly be a formidable and extremely ambitious England Athletics team for Delhi. We wish Jo the very best of preparations in the lead up to what should prove to be a significant competitive milestone in her athletics career.”
 
Martin Rush, one of the team coaches, commented, “Since making the transition to race walking Jo’s progression has been tremendous. We are very pleased that Jo has been selected and are very excited by what she has the potential to achieve in Delhi. I know that she will be working diligently with her coaches Andi Drake and Maureen Jackson to ensure she seizes the opportunity that the Commonwealth Games represents for her.

“Knowing that the first athlete has had their selection confirmed adds to the excitement and expectation that are building around this year’s Commonwealth Games.”
 
The 2010 Commonwealth Games take place in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010. They will feature 17 sports - archery, aquatics (swimming, synchronised swimming & diving), athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby 7s, shooting, squash, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. With the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Commonwealth Games England is entering a breath-taking four years of sport.

Commonwealth Games England (GCE) is the organisation responsible for selecting and organising England's team at the Commonwealth Games.

England finished second to Australia on the overall medal table at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games with 36 golds, 40 silvers and 34 bronzes.

The Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 25 April 2010 will give more athletes the opportunity to qualify for the Commonwealth Games England team. For more details see www.englandathletics.org/cwg-selection
 
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