No long jump for Sotherton

Kelly Sotherton will not compete in the long jump at the Commonwealth Games, thereby avoiding direct competition with England team-mate Jade Johnson.

Sotherton, who began her quest for heptathlon gold this morning, had hoped to also tackle the long jump in Melbourne.

But qualification for the long jump takes place tomorrow, in the middle of the second day of competition in the heptathlon.

That means that Sotherton will not be going head-to-head with Johnson, who fell out with her at the AAA Championships claiming Sotherton “lacks respect” for her rivals.

“I would have loved to do the long jump,” said Sotherton, before the athletics programme got underway. “It’s a bit of fun for me.

“I came eighth in the World Championships in Helsinki when I was ranked outside the top 30 so I know I can perform when I have to.

“I would have loved to compete for a medal in the long jump. That would have been amazing. I think there was an outside chance of a medal in the long jump.”