 Denise Lewis takes a confident stride towards Athens at Gateshead today after emerging from a dark fog of self-doubt over her ability to defend her Olympic heptathlon title. British athletics' sole gold medallist in Sydney four years ago confesses that there have been moments, even in recent months, when she contemplated calling time on her bid to repeat the feat in Greece. Mind and body laid low by a niggling foot injury, the resolve which took her to glory Down Under and back into top-level competition in 2003 after motherhood was tested like never before. But North East fans will see a confident, invigorated and excited Lewis in this afternoon's star-studded Norwich Union British Grand Prix. Precaution dictates that she will only compete in the long jump rather than also expose the aforementioned foot to the stress of the 100 metre hurdles. And her lack of competition this year is a worry to many, particularly with Sweden's world champion Carolina Kluft already having all but matched Lewis's heptathlon personal best in 2004. Yet the multi-talented Lewis is now convinced she will be in peak condition for Athens in August. "There have been times when I've wondered whether I would be here," she says. "I have had quiet and dark moments agonising about things. "Earlier this year, I was not where I would like to have been. That's when you ask yourself: `Can you get back to the level you need to be at?' "But I have had a good week and I'm upbeat. I have time enough to get into top shape for Athens - I feel that the worst of the injuries are behind me and that I'm coming into my `up' phase." Kluft is the undoubted Olympic favourite, with Lewis's long-time rival Eunice Barber also hoping to peak for the main event. But despite the fierce competition, her time-out to have a baby - daughter Lauren is now two - and, at 31, her veteran status, the Black Country girl admits: "I'm excited. "When its gets within two months of an Olympics, it's nerve-wracking and it tends to focus you. "I'm trying to take each week as it comes and, at the moment, have been concentrating on training. "I know that if I get my work in, I will be in a position to challenge and compete to the best of my ability and do myself justice." Inevitably, the British public will be hopeful Lewis can defy others' form and her struggle for fitness to mount a challenge for victory in Athens. But with Kluft having arrived on the scene since Sydney, Lewis warns: "You can't compare what happens now with what happened in the past. It's a new era. I'm not going to give predictions. "All I know is that everyone starts the event at zero." Cynics would remind her that the latest wave of drugs scandals to hit the sport might suggest otherwise. The 100 metres world record holder Tim Montgomery is the latest American star to be officially charged with doping offences. And his girlfriend Marion Jones - one of Lewis's adversaries today in a long jump competition worthy of an Olympic final - is currently under investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency. But while Lewis will not comment on Jones, she is pleased at the recent rash of cheats being exposed. "It's a good thing that it's all come out in the wash," she adds. "Athletics has been under a dark shadow but I'm optimistic about the sport's ability to overcome these difficulties. "But we do need it all to be over pretty soon." A limited number of tickets for today's Norwich Union British Grand Prix are available to fans who wish to pay at the gate at the International Stadium. Page 2: Keep an eye on Kelly | 
