Green back in business and fully focused

Jack Green jetted out to Rio this week to prepare for an Olympic Games that he once thought might take place without him.

The 24-year-old from Hythe has battled injury and depression since he last took part in an Olympic 400m hurdles race and barely ran at all from the summer of 2013 until the end of 2014 – even trying his hand at rugby at one stage.

However, the former Brockhill School and Saltwood Primary pupil got himself back on track in the USA and, after a switch back to Kent last year, turned in a series of stellar times in June and July to ensure one of the two Teamgb spots for Rio, where he is also part of the 4x400m relay squad.

He said: “The Olympics is the pinnacle of our sport and it wasn’t long ago that it was highly unlikely I would be going to another Games.

“It’s an honour to represent my friends, family and country in my second Games.”

Despite crashing out at the semi-final stage of the hurdles at London 2012, Green insists he has no unfinished business to right this time around.

He said: “London was a successful Championships for me. I was a semi-finalist and finished fourth in the relay, all at the age of 20, in the biggest competition I could possibly do.”

Green begins his Rio campaign with the heats on Monday, August 15 (3.35pm BST) hoping to reach the semi-final the following night and the final on Thursday, August 18.

The 4x400m relay competition begins late on Friday, August 19, with the final on the final night of competition, Saturday, August 20.

Despite his sparkling form, Green admitted: “The best case scenario for me would be making the hurdles final and picking up a medal in the relay.

“Both are possible but will require me to really step it up when it counts.”

In order to find success, Green is likely to have to beat the 48.60sec personal best time he set in the lead-up to London 2012.