Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Sanjay Ayre wins the men's 400m in 45.68 at the Jamaica International Invitational. - File

DETERMINED TO put last year's disappointments behind him, national 400m champion Sanjay Ayre appears set for great things this Olympic year.

Ayre, who at age 20, along with Gregory Haughton, Michael Blackwood, Danny McFarlane and Michael McDonald helped Jamaica to bronze in the 4x400m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, said his dream has always been to win an individual medal at the Games and, with this an Olympic year, he said he is more determined than ever to turn that into reality.

Training going well

"This year's preparation has been going well," said Ayre, a member of Jamaica's 2005 World Championships bronze medal 4x400m team.

"I started off the season pretty decent," he said while making note of his races in Arlington Texas (46.49) and Waco, Texas, (45.69). He also won at the Jamaica International Invitational in 45.68.

"I had a pretty decent season last year. I was ranked number 10 in the world, but I made a few mistakes along the way," he said.

Falling out

Ayre, a former Calabar and Excelsior student, made it to the quarter-finals at last year's World Championships in Osaka, Japan, but did not finish. He suffered cramps, but returned to run the anchor leg on the men's 4x400m relay team, which finished fourth.

"When I got to the Championships, I had kind of run out of gas a little bit," said the 27-year-old. "But this year, I am looking forward to bigger and better things," said Ayre, who races in Carson on Sunday. He will then race in Berlin and Oslo before the national trials.

Donald Quarrie, the 1976 Olympic 200m gold medallist, said Ayre had only himself to blame for last year's disappointments.

Preparation

"Sanjay showed up at our training camp five days before he ran. Had he shown up two, three weeks before, we know he would have performed very well," Quarrie said.

"This year, we are going to pull him with us from day one and I know he will perform a lot better than most of you expect," he said.

Ayre promised: "I will diffidently be there from day one.

"Last year, on the European circuit, I think I was just a little bit tired and my coach wanted me to come home (United States) and stay there to train with my group. It was a mistake, but you learn from your mistakes and I have learned and it won't happen again.

"Everybody can look forward to good things this season from me," he said.