Petrina Price told to jump by officials

By Chris Roots
Updated November 5 2012 - 9:00pm, first published June 19 2009 - 11:28am
Petrina Price has to jump 1.91m again between now and the end of July to be on the plane to Europe for the world championships. Picture: KEN ROBERTSON
Petrina Price has to jump 1.91m again between now and the end of July to be on the plane to Europe for the world championships. Picture: KEN ROBERTSON

Wollongong high jumper Petrina Price has labelled Athletics Australia "Indian givers" as she faces an uphill climb to reach the pre-departure mark for the world championships on the Gold Coast this weekend.The 25-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the world championship team for Berlin after twice posting the B qualifier of 1.91m and winning the national championship.However she has to jump 1.91m again between now and the end of July to be on the plane to Europe and with a lack of funding to get meets within Australia, this weekend might be her only chance to achieve it."When I was named (in the Australian team) I was in shock," Price said."I rang my coach (Peter Lawler) and he was just as shocked."When I got my medal at nationals I thought that was it. I could have a week off before getting back into heavy training and get ready for next year."But all of a sudden I had the world champs ... now I have to jump this height again - it's like they are Indian givers."Lawler put Price through a session at a very wet and cold Beaton Park on Wednesday and believes it will be "a struggle" to get the mark set by AA."It usually takes a couple of meets to get up to a season best," Lawler said."This (pre-departure mark) presents its own difficulties. We are tapering far too early. We are trying to get Petrina to a seasonal best in the middle of June because she has got to do it to get on the plane."We've got to do it early (in the six-week period) so she has the opportunity to go back and try again if she doesn't get it."But whether the funding will be there for another trip is also a problem."Lawler believes Price's best years are ahead of her, despite making the Athens Olympics as a 20-year-old, as her body has matured."At long last her thighs are starting to fill out," he said.

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