AUSTRALIA’S best triple jumper, Linda Allen, is selling up her western suburbs gyms to fund her Olympic dream.
She won this month’s Melbourne Track Challenge by jumping 13.7 metres and will compete in next month’s national qualifiers.
Her personal best is 13.82 metres and she needs 14.3 to get to London.
“I’ve got a chance, but it’s not a sure thing,” the 24-year-old says.
“I just want to make the most of the chance I’ve got.”
The former Altona Meadows resident moved to Melbourne from Brisbane to change coach.
She and partner Seth Leverton started their Run With Me gyms two years ago, opening up shop at Cairnlea and Altona.
They also operate a Sunshine West franchise.
Allen says all three will be sold in pursuit of gold.
“It’s to sponsor the athletic journey and to put all my eggs in one basket,” she says.
“I look at Sally Pearson and Henry Frayne and they are just 100 per cent athletes and I think that if I’m really to give the Olympics a shot, I have to put all my eggs in one basket.”
Allen says she hasn’t yet realised her full potential.
“I want to keep chasing that. Right now, I’m 100 per cent injury free and I’m running a lot better than I ever have so I want to make the most of it.
“Technically, I’m the best I’ve ever been so I want to make the most of that opportunity while I’ve got it.”
