Toni Minichiello, the coach who steered Ennis towards a British record, plans to sit down with her tomorrow and discuss the future.
There is much to debate, not least the fact that Minichiello has been approached about taking up a coaching role overseas. He has no desire to leave Ennis, but his contract with UK Athletics (UKA) expires at the end of the year and so far he has not been offered a new one.
UKA would be fools if they let Minichiello get away. His methods have proved to be perfect for getting the best out of Ennis, who had lost two world titles in a year before making it to London, but has now won six global medals since 2009.
Minichiello is adamant that Ennis can dominate the heptathlon for years to come and so delay the expected move to the 100 metres hurdles. “The kid has so much talent in so many directions that, pound for pound, I think she may be the best athlete Britain has ever had,” he said. “She has had four British records this year, in the hurdles, the pentathlon and the heptathlon twice, and to keep smashing records like that is some going.
“My personal opinion about the hurdles is, ‘Why would you bother?’ She can do the heptathlon in Rio [de Janeiro]. She has not had many injuries and has an increasing profile. If she is smart about it then I think she can do it. Daley [Thompson] was on the top of his game for nine years and still tried the decathlon in 1992. Why go to a single event if you are still winning?”
Three years ago, Minichiello did ask whether the Olympic schedule could be drawn up to facilitate an attempt to do the heptathlon and hurdles double, but the plea fell on deaf ears. With only one day between the heptathlon and hurdles in London, Ennis decided enough was enough.
That was sensible but frustrating for those who were intrigued to see just how she would fare. Ennis clocked 12.54sec in her 100 metres hurdles in the Olympic heptathlon. That would have been good enough for fourth place in the specialist hurdles final.
In fact, it would have tied the time that won gold in 2008 and given her the Olympic hurdles title in 1992, 1996 and 2000. The temptation to move to a specialist event is there for Ennis, although she has said she would be bored by one discipline.
