Set to shine

In an exclusive interview for the South Wales Argus at the Team GB preparation camp in Cyprus, Jones: l Revealed how he is backing Christian Malcolm to burst back onto the international scene.

l Admitted he expects Hayley Tullett to add another major medal to her collection.

l Warned not to bet against Tim Benjamin coming home with a medal.

On Christian Malcolm, he said: "Christian has had a satisfactory if not outstanding summer, but he's happy with it and he's satisfied that he's got to a point where he is uninjured and he's put a lot of work in and now he's just waiting for the icing on the cake when he can get quicker and I expect him to reach the final.

"If he reaches the final then who knows with Christian, he really is unpredictable, I remember seeing him as a junior and he really did look like a million dollars.

"He has always been a bright spark and we've all been waiting for that spark to re-ignite and I wouldn't bet against that happening in Athens this month.

"He's got two weeks in Paphos here to sharpen up and work on a few things and although there are people running faster than him they can only improve a little whereas Christian still has plenty left in him, so if he gets it all right then you never know."

Moving to Hayley Tullett he admitted:

"Hayley has won a bronze medal last time she competed at a major finals and who is to say that she can't do the same this time around?

"It is fairly open in the 1500m and at the end of the day it is going to be a competitive person who gets a medal there and she's proved she can compete with the best."

And on Tim Benjamin he said: "I saw Tim in training this week here in Paphos and he looks in great shape.

"I was talking to him last night and he was telling me how he expects to go under 45 seconds and if he does that then he'll make the final which would be a tremendous achievement for his age and for his stage of development.

"And then he can go into the relay and do well as he is our big man in the event."