GOLCAR badminton player Marcus Ellis is adamant his Olympic bid is starting to take shape at exactly the right time – after he had feared it might not happen at all.
The 22-year-old has endured a year of uncertainty surrounding injury and illness to men’s doubles partner Peter Mills – a situation that has only recently been resolved.
Having failed to make it past the first round of the World Championships in August, Ellis and Mills didn’t play together for two months but have since joined forces again.
They reached the final of the Scottish International Championships last month, losing to Russians Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov, while their world ranking is within touching distance of the top 50.
Improvements are needed, with only the world’s top 16 next May guaranteed a place at the London Olympics.
But following their earlier and anxious insecurities, Ellis insists he finally has something to go.
“There have been so many uncertainties in recent months that it is just nice to be back playing again and knowing we’re back on track,” said Ellis, who has a busy 2012 that will include the English National Badminton Championships in February.
“Peter had the injury at the Worlds so we weren’t really ready for that tournament.
“But we couldn’t miss out on it as you get good ranking points for playing and we didn’t want to lose them.
“And we are hoping to get back up there as soon as possible, having had a slow time of it recently and, while we were disappointed to lose in Scotland, we looked at the bigger picture.
“We have to be happy as we are only just getting started again after Peter’s injury.
“We were quite happy with how we played and we know after what we’ve been through that there is more to come.”
As well as the men’s doubles, Ellis also plies his trade in the mixed with Heather Olver – where once again he is up against it to secure a place at next year’s Olympics.
Ranked just inside the top 80 in the world, they are even further away from the required top 16, although Ellis is determined not to throw in the towel.
“Heather and I have struggled to find form for whatever reason,” he added.
“But we are still confident we can sort it out in time for London 2012.
“We have had success in the past, so we both know we can do it and, also since then, we have both come on as players so we know we have what it takes.
“It is nothing major that needs doing, it is just ironing out the little things and these will make the difference I am sure.”
Fans have the chance to watch Ellis live in the English National Badminton Championships by purchasing tickets at www.nationalbadmintonchamps.co.uk or call the box office on 0844 5811 424.
