Tiffany Porter now looks to build on Portland bronze
Tiffany Porter picked up her third world indoor medal in Portland when she claimed bronze in 7.90 behind Americans Nia Ali (7.81) and Brianna Rollins (7.82) on Friday. Having previously won silver in 2012 and bronze in 2014 as well as European silver on the boards in 2011, that means that she has now more senior championship medals indoors (4) than outdoors (3).
Despite that, the 28-year old explained how her focus is always on the summer season. "For me, the indoor is a preparation for the outdoor," she said. "I do love it [indoors] and I have a good start. It also gives me opportunities to work on things we have been doing in training, see where I am and to get those cobwebs out of training in an actual competition.
"I am happy to have come away from here with a medal but ultimately Rio is the big goal and I have to get stronger and get faster because everyone is running very fast."
Porter was second in her semi-final in 8.00 behind Ali's 7.91 and the slowness of the time was largely due to the Briton's start. While Ali’s reaction time was 0.155, Porter’s was 0.232, and she said: "I was massively disappointed after my preliminary run.
"That was probably my worst-executed race of the season.
"The difference from the preliminary was that [in the final] I got out. I didn’t fall asleep in the blocks. I was worried but a true fighter continues to push forward and I am glad I was able to do better in the final."
On the final, she added: "I am so pleased and so happy to come away with another medal. Medals are what our sport is about.
"I am so pleased. Hopefully I can build on it and do better next time.
"It helps to get over that disappointment I had last year in Beijing," continued Porter, who finished fifth in the Chinese capital last summer. "I really did not want to think about that but as an athlete it is always at the back of your mind. Tonight shows that I am able to put it together when it matters and show that I can run with the best.
"I’m going to use this momentum to hopefully just build up some confidence for outdoors."
Asked how she would celebrate her latest world indoor medal, she replied: "My husband is here so perhaps we will go out and get a burger and a glass of wine then it will be back to some heavy training."
» Catch up on the second day of IAAF World Indoor Championships action with our round-up report here and then see the next edition of AW magazine, out March 24, for much more
