Sprint star Schippers setting sights high

Dafne Schippers is hopeful of making further strides in 2016 as she prepares for her first full season as a sprint specialist.

Former heptathlete Schippers spectacularly justified her decision to focus solely on sprinting midway through last year, claiming respective gold and silver medals in the 200m and 100m at the World Championships in Beijing.

Only Florence Griffith-Joyner and Marion Jones have topped the time of 21.63 seconds that secured 200m glory for Schippers.

However, the 23-year-old feels she still has much more to offer.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's Indoor Grand Prix in Glasgow, Schippers said: "2015 was a very good year for me. We will see what happens in the next season. I think I can make big steps because it's the first winter for me to train as a sprinter. That's new and I like it.

"I'm so happy - normally when you do the heptathlon you always have the feeling that you've got something to do, because you do all the events.

"Now I'm only doing the sprinting, that's easier and easier for your mind."

Schippers will be expected to contend for medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Asked how she feels about entering the event as a favourite, she added: "I cannot say no because I am the world champion.

"But yes, I am going for the medals and we will see if it is possible."