• London Olympics 2012

Fearless Ennis determined to peak at London 2012

Jessica Ennis says she does not fear Tatyana Chernova © PA Photos

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Jessica Ennis has admitted she will "probably have to smash the British record" at next year's London Olympics in order to claim heptathlon gold.

A poor javelin event put paid to Ennis' hopes of winning a gold medal at the World Championships in Daegu, with Russia's Tatyana Chernova capitalising to win from the Briton by 129 points.

However, following her disappointment in August, Ennis has had time to reflect on her performance and has insisted she is "stronger" as a result of her below-par performance. All eyes will be on the 25-year-old at London 2012 and Ennis accepts she is going to have to raise her level if she is to top the rostrum in front of her home fans.

"Tatyana Chernova raised her game to win with a big score and I will probably have to smash the British record next year," Ennis told the Times. "She is faster and stronger than she has been, but I am not fearful at all. I'm just going to go away and work hard.

"I don't need to make serious changes. I messed up my javelin. I slipped on the runway and, even though you try put things such as that out of your mind, it was there, subconsciously holding me back on my other throws.

"I went through the whole event with my coach, Toni Minichiello, and my javelin coach, Mick Hill, and there are two or three things that we are going to work on. But I was happy with my javelin going into the World Championships. Everything we'd done had got me to 46 metres. I just need to get back to that and beyond.

"I would rather be in pole position, but I am not in a bad place going into Olympic year. I look back and know that in Daegu I did not make the most of two of my strongest events - the hurdles and high jump. If I do what I should in those and don't mess up my javelin, then I will be there. It will also be interesting to see how Chernova copes with the pressure that comes from being the world No. 1. That can affect people in different ways, but I expect her and others to be in great shape in London next year."

Meanwhile, Ennis, who will start training again this weekend after taking a month off after the World Championships, is hopeful London will be awarded the rights to host the 2017 World Championships. IAAF inspectors are in London to consider UK Athletics' bid, with a decision on the destination of the championships to come next month.

"So much has been talked about legacy plans, and whether they will work or not, but I cannot think of any better use for a fantastic, state-of-the-art Olympic Stadium than to use it for the next best thing," Ennis said. "That is exactly what the World Championships are. They are a huge event that can capture the imagination of the public, inspire kids and change lives.

"If that sounds a grand statement, I can offer the proof. When I won the world heptathlon title in 2009, it changed everything for me. It was my breakthrough year. Suddenly, doors opened to opportunities I had never dreamt of and kids were queuing up for my autograph. Anyone who believes watching major championships does not lead to kids wanting to do sport should come down to the English Institute of Sport, in Sheffield, and they might change their mind.

"Whatever anyone now claims, an athletics legacy was also at the heart of the Olympic bid and what better legacy than to have the World Championships in Britain? There has been so much time and money invested in 2012 that it would be a crying shame if everything suddenly stopped after the closing ceremony. Having grabbed the public's attention, the World Championships are a chance to keep hold of it."

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