I do believe living in a warm climate, especially throughout the winter months is an advantage to sports people, as there will of course be less colds, chest infections, flu etc floating around. However it would be wrong to take a defeatist attitude and to give up on achieving your own potential. Although extra caution to the immune system most be given in order limit time spent off training due to illness.

Since finishing my 2008 season I have reduced training and neglected to take any supplements, I got away with this for 3weeks then picked up a cold. Two weeks later I have a sore throat and require an additional week off training. Last year I managed to go from November to August, the end of my season, without a single cold, this is not a coincidence. I will immediately return to my supplement program which includes Perfect Food Original (Garden of Life), Basic Nutrients 1 or 2 (Thorne Research), fish oils, and I am currently speaking to Fergus (my Sports Consultant) about an antioxidant supplement to combat free radicals associated with intense training.

The next major challenge for British and Irish Sprinters will be the European Indoor Championships in March 2009, which take place in Italy, after that will be the 2009 World Championships which will be held in Berlin,(August) and the challenge to beat Usain Bolt will continue.