Mark Lewis-Francis is determined to bounce back from a disastrous Commonwealth Games and make a strong challenge for European 100 metres gold in Gothenburg from August 7 to 13.
The 23-year-old Birchfield Harrier, a former world junior champion, will clash with world record-holder Asafa Powell in Oslo on June 2, one of several tough build-up races he is undertaking before chasing European glory in Gothenburg.
Lewis-Francis is well aware of the criticism aimed in his direction after he false-started in the individual sprint and was then involved in the faulty baton handover with Marlon Devonish in Melbourne but, according to his advisers, he is fully focused and convinced he can stabilise his career.
"The only place for him to do this is on the track," Ricky Simms, his manager, said. "The people close to Mark know that he is very determined to run well this year."
Lewis-Francis' summer season starts on Saturday when competing with a British team in the Penn Relays.
The squad of himself, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Chris Lambert, Julian Thomas and Simeon Williamson take on the the United States and other selected national 4x100m relay sides in Philadelphia.
Lewis-Francis is also scheduled to compete in the 100m open race, where American Leonard Scott, last month's world 60m gold medallist and sixth in the outdoor 100m final last summer, will be in opposition.
Lewis-Francis will then fly to Florida for a month and it is expected that he will compete in a few low-key college meetings - an ideal opportunity to concentrate on his starting procedures. Simms said: "His race programme will focus on peaking for the European Championships." n Paula Radcliffe is confident she will defend her European Championships 10,000 metres title in Gothenburg.
The 32-year-old is recuperating in Monaco after a minor operation on the foot injury which destroyed her chances of competing in the Commonwealth Games and defending her London Marathon title last Sunday.
She said: "From next week, I can start building things gradually back up to normal and I don't envisage not making it to Sweden.
"Apart from the obvious disappointment of missing out on London, it shouldn't affect the summer at all - apart from making me fresh and determined."
