Jamie Cooke: Great British Hope for Modern Pentathlon Glory

Among the plethora of sports that will captivate the world in London’s Olympic summer, modern pentathlon is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing. Its basic foundation – a combination of épée fencing, freestyle swimming and show jumping before a run/shoot finish – is enough to secure the attention of the most cynical spectator even before the eclectic, arduous plot begins.

Throw in a strong British tradition, punctuated by Heather Fell’s silver medal in Beijing four years ago, and you have a sure-fire crowd-pleaser that is bound to capture the imagination of our capital this August.

Heading the male charge for the host nation – pending selection, as he modestly insists – is Jamie Cooke. Having laid extremely sturdy foundations for glory with a truly sensational 2011, the 20 year-old could very well emerge from the next seven months as one of our most exalted athletes.

By claiming victory at last year’s World Junior Championships in Argentina, Cooke announced himself as a superbly talented prospect. In securing fourth place at last year’s senior European Championships before that, he became the first Brit to reach the Olympic qualifying standard. Now, placed at 14 in the world rankings, the Bath Spa University Business Administration student is in a very strong position from which to chase gold.

As he briefly reflects on his achievements, Cooke’s maturity and meticulous understanding of his sport is very impressive.

“I am extremely happy because everything has been going from strength to strength” he smiles, before swiftly, and without prompting, continuing to address the areas in which he wants to improve. “The fencing is absolutely key, though.

“There, I am at a disadvantage to the other guys. I lack their experience and, though I have a general skill base, I need to work on having patience and keeping discipline on the piste, as well as reacting to unexpected situations. There is a great mental emphasis in fencing. It is subtle, like chess. When it is going well, you feel like a god; when it is going badly, a vicious circle starts.

Despite his admirable modesty, Cooke’s sentiments do not disguise the necessity for all-round prowess in his trade. His own successes last year were built upon superb showings in the pool where, at one point, he produced three consecutive world records for the modern pentathlon over the 200m course. Cooke is proud of swimming talents, but all too aware that the name of his game is versatility.

“I get the most nervous before the swimming and I am very aware of the expectation,” he says, his enthusiasm for the challenge burning bright. “At the Junior World Championships, I was in 29th after the fencing before, thankfully, I had the swimming to bring my score back up.

“Our event can be tough because it is not easy to balance the five sports, but all I can do is to keep plugging away at things. That is a long process but, with the Games so close, I am just trying to bring it all together.”

Speaking to Cooke is very enlightening. He has a keen and respectful awareness of the traditions of his event, while also possessing a seemingly insatiable appetite to get better – living with Beijing competitor Nick Woodbridge, he will learn plenty about the pressures of the Olympic cauldron. These two qualities, which radiate glaringly, will be essential in 2012.

Thankfully, Cooke is also articulate; an attribute that enhances his answer to the million-dollar question, of whether a podium place at London is a possibility.

“If you ask any athlete that, they would all answer the same way,” laughs Cooke, clearly aware of the attraction that numbly rolling out a benign cliché holds to many of his colleagues. “I realise that I am very young and that I am learning all the time.

“There are selections to get through first. Then, if I make the team, I can fine-tune during the World Cup events. If the jigsaw comes together nicely, the Olympics at the end of the season should go well. Obviously, my goal is to perform at the best of my ability in London. That is the goal that I am aiming at, along with my great support staff.

“There are a lot of competitions beforehand so, in one sense, the Olympics is a long way off. In another, it is looming large on the horizon. When I wake up in the morning, all I want to do is train. That is because of the Games.”

By allaying any entitlement that his 2011 form could have brought, Cooke seems determined, by any means necessary, to claw onto the biggest stage his event can offer. With that relentless attitude, he could well burst into the Olympic limelight, dragging modern pentathlon along with him. 

This interview was conducted in conjunction with The British Olympic Association, the National Olympic Committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. They prepare the 'Best of British' athletes for, and lead them at, the summer, winter and youth Olympics, and deliver extensive support services to Britain's Olympic athletes and their National Governing Bodies to enhance Olympic success.