Dogged Deen on revenge mission
LAMIN DEEN says the British bobsleigh team’s Olympic dreams are being powered by a sense of injustice.
Four years ago in Sochi John Jackson piloted his four-man crew to a fifth place finish, just one-tenth of a second off a medal.
Two Russian crews ahead of them have subsequently been linked to doping, but the British bobbers still do not know whether they will get their bronze medal.
Now Grenadier Guardsman Deen, who won a World Cup silver medal earlier this season, is on a crusade to make amends.
“It’s just heartbreaking for Jacko and that team – they are still in limbo about that medal. But in our eyes they are Olympic medallists,” said Deen.
“I get my values in this sport from John. He was a tremendously talented pilot and he’s still a source of brilliant advice for me.”
The 37-year-old’s upbringing could not be further removed from the rarified mountain air in which he competes this month.
Brought up in a tough inner-city neighbourhood in Manchester, Deen claims he could easily have opted for a life of crime had he not joined the army.
Deen admits the last few months have been tricky. Results have been disappointing, while popular team member Bruce Tasker suffered a stroke and had to withdraw.
And then there were the allegations of bullying and discrimination in the sport, with key coaches quitting.
“It has been tough, but it has united the team,” said Deen.
“We’re ready to prove ourselves now where it matters.”
WATCH Lamin Deen on February 24 on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport Player. Go to www.eurosport.co.uk.
The skeleton racer is trying to become the first British athlete to defend a title at the Winter Olympics but is quick to admit this season has not gone according to plan.
She started with confidence high, having finally solved the dizziness issues that were posing a major threat to her career.
But a bronze in Lake Placid was followed by an uncharacteristic run of distant finishes, until she came fourth in the final race of the World Cup season in Konigssee.
It’s all a far cry from four years ago, when she arrived in Sochi having claimed seven podiums in her previous eight races, including four victories.
“It would be boring if I was winning every week – what would you write about?” she jokes. “It’s certainly been an up and down season but it’s a reminder sport is challenging and anything can happen.
“I’ve just had to focus on remembering that I’m good at doing this. The last race was great for confidence. I have ❑ KATIE ORMEROD is still aiming for a place on the podium despite suffering a fractured wrist on the first day assessing the course.
The snowboarder, 20, is at her first Olympics and goes in both slopestyle and Big Air.
Ormerod said: “The course is awesome. Unfortunately, I slipped off a rail and have a minor fracture to my wrist.
“I’m totally fine and looking forward to training and competing. Can’t wait.” always been a very intuitive slider but I have been over-thinking things. I’m more relaxed and confident in myself now. Perhaps just being back at the Olympics makes me happier and settled.
“I’ve never taken my eyes off the prize here, no matter what the results were saying. I didn’t get disheartened. I’ve always said this season was about being good in PyeongChang. Nothing else matters.”
It is hard to know whether Yarnold, 29, is convinced by such fighting talk, but there are reasons for optimism, even if bullish confidence about her title defence would be stretching it. She is best at learning new tracks and the Olympics is over four runs, rather than the two at World