Sotherton eyes 2012 swansong

Kelly Sotherton has set her sights on a glorious farewell at the 2012 London Olympics, even though she will be 35 years old by then.

Sotherton, heptathlon champion at last month’s Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, is banking on the fact that she was a late starter to prolong her career through to the London Games.

“I don’t know how hard that will be but as long as I am fit and healthy and I am looked after and get everything I need up to that date, I am sure I will be fine,” she said.

“I believe every athlete has their good 10 years and I am in my fourth year so hopefully I will be there, but not necessarily in the heptathlon,” said Sotherton, 29, who could switch to one of her seven individual events.

“It could be long jump, one of the others or maybe as part of a relay, you never know, but as long as I get there and it’s my swansong Olympics in London that would be great.

“I will still be motivated because I started late. I started at 26 and did not do my first global championships until 2004. I am still new in this game really,” she said.