Peacock raring to start competing

Paralympic 100 metres champion Jonnie Peacock is ready to step out of the shadows on Saturday afternoon when he competes for the first time since lighting up the Olympic Stadium last summer.

The 19-year-old memorably had to urge the crowd to be quiet as they chanted his name ahead of the T44 100m final - before going on to claim gold. Peacock returns to competition at the BT Great CityGames in Manchester, where he will run over 100m on a purpose-built track on Deansgate.

His new status is highlighted by the fact it is his image on promotional banners hanging in the city centre. "It's odd, it's a different experience for me," he said. "I'm used to the shadows and the background, that's what I like, but you've got to take it on the chin and get on with it."

Peacock added: "I don't get recognised too much, luckily. I can still go to the shops and do my shopping without being hassled, I don't need to wear a hoodie.

"At the moment I just want to go out and compete. I am excited and a little bit nervous, but I'm sure it's going to be fun.

"The British public have been great. The way they were at the Games was fantastic, nobody expected the reception we got from them. I'm sure it's going to be similar (on Saturday), it's going to be loud again."

It has been, at times, a frustrating wait to start racing again for the amputee sprinter, who has got a new running blade and a new coach since London 2012.

His old coach Dan Pfaff returned to the United States after the Games and, after deciding life in Arizona was not for him, Peacock has returned to Britain and is now based in Loughborough under the guidance of Steve Fudge.

"After London you're raring to compete again and you feel like you're ready, but it has been nice to have a bit of a break," Peacock said. "But I am ready to come back now."