Steve Backley and Miklós Németh

Javelin legend Steve Backley feels Goldie Sayers is well worth a bet to win Olympic gold despite the "incredible" opposition she'll be up against in London.

The British number one is currently preparing to win a 10th successive national title at this weekend's Aviva Trials in Birmingham but it's success on the world stage that she craves.

Sayers came agonisingly close to a medal in Beijing when she finished fourth with a personal best throw of 65.75 and is still searching for that elusive podium position at a major championships.

This season the Belgrave Harrier is once again in close pursuit of the leading throwers, including defending Olympic champion Barbora Spotakova and world gold medallist Maria Abakumova, after producing an effort of 64.73m in Rome last month - her best effort since the Beijing Games.

And Backley, who is the country's only track and field competitor to win medals at three different Olympics, would not be surprised to see the Newmarket-born athlete realise her ultimate dream.

"I think Goldie is capable," said Backley, speaking at the launch of Cadbury House. "She can throw far enough and is a major championship performer. I believe in her and what she achieved in Beijing proved she has the temperament to go all the way.

"I also think she happens to be in an event which is probably in its most difficult time in terms of becoming a contender with Spotakova, Christina Obergfoll, Abakumova and the young South African girl Sunette Viljoen.

"Goldie has found herself in an era of women's javelin throwing that is just incredible. It's very hard for her. She could throw a British record and come fourth or fifth but that's the nature of the beast unfortunately.

"On a more positive note she could win it with 67 metres. She's certainly good enough to be in the mix.

"Spotakova is the favourite in the women's but if I was having a bet I'd go for Goldie. A few things have to go in her favour but she has the major championship temperament.

"Depending on what the odds are, she's certainly worth an outside bet. I might have to go and put some money on now I've said that!"

On the men's side, the British challenge isn't looking so strong and Backley's long-standing national record of 91.46m looks in no sign of any danger for the foreseeable future.

Backley said: "If somebody broke my record they would be expected to win the Olympics! Ninety metres plus isn't something that happens every day of the week in the javelin at the moment.

"The event hasn't gone forward in world terms like some have, which is quite satisfying in some ways if I'm being honest!

"Therefore it's great opportunity for someone and if they can get into the mid-80s, they could feature. I threw 89 metres for a silver medal so if someone can get towards where I was then they would put themselves in a great position. But at the moment that looks a long way off."

Mervyn Luckwell currently leads the British standings but with a personal best of 83.52, just reaching the final at London 2012 would be a massive achievement.

Backley said: "There's a few throwers with something of a talent. The country's lead at the moment is Mervyn Luckwell - he's a really powerful athlete. He's got a tremendous speed of release but he needs to learn what it takes to deliver under pressure.

"There's a few youngsters who might have the potential. But you have to be able to throw 80 metres as a junior and we haven't got anyone looking like they're capable of that yet."

Backley hopes the javelin is one of the sports that benefits most from the legacy of the Olympics and the four-time European champion is keen to insist there are few barriers to get involved.

He said: "I hope that part of the legacy of London 2012 is events like the javelin inspire youngsters around the country to get involved in it.

"There's clubs all over the country with athletics facilities. You don't need a lot for athletics. I'm not a big fan of making sport as easy as we can for everyone.

"The thing we need more than anything is young talented kids with a desire and belief in themselves. If they have a desire to become a champion then they can do it.

"I broke the European junior record and won the European junior championships by throwing a javelin in a field opposite my house being coached by my dad!

"I wasn't one of these people who came out of hi-tec facilities. I don't think we necessarily really need it. That's just the icing on the cake once you get to a level when you're looking to make the small improvements.

"But the big chunks come from having the belief, desire and the natural talent."

As for who wins the men's gold, Backley doesn't think Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen will emulate Jan Zelezny's record of three successive Olympic golds this summer.

He said: "I have to say that Jan Zelezny's young prodigy Vítezslav Vesely, who Zelenzny is coaching, looks the real deal. He's thrown around 88m this year, has the greatest javelin thrower of all time as his coach and has already beaten the Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen.

"Andreas looks as though there are some chinks in his armour. But he also knows he's just got one victory to achieve before he goes into legendary status. To emulate Zelenzny with three Olympic golds would be pretty special. But I'm going for the young Czech."

source:sportinglife.com