Peacock in perfect shape as he targets golden hat-trick

Jonnie Peacock insists he’s the hunter, not the hunted, as he prepares for a tilt at an unprecedented third Paralympic 100m title.

It’s 12 years since Peacock - still a teenager - became one of the faces of London 2012, shocking favourite Oscar Pistorius to win his first gold. He defended that title in Rio but was forced to settle for a tied bronze in Tokyo, just three-hundredths of a second off the top of the podium.

And while his 10.64-second personal best is now seven years old — the same year he made his trailblazing appearance on Strictly Come Dancing — the 31-year-old, whose right leg is amputated just below the knee, insists experience is an advantage, despite admitting his times this season have been less than eye-catching.

“This is my fourth Paralympics; no one in this field has that experience,” he said. “My competitors have not felt what it’s like to run in that stadium full of people, that is when I thrive. We haven’t had crowds like this since London; how will they be able to deal with that noise and that expectation?

“You can be good outside these championships, but this is when it counts, this is the real pressure cooker.

“My times this season haven’t been great, but honestly, in some of those meetings, I’ve nearly fallen asleep. Throughout my career, it’s always been the big races when I’ve run my fastest times.

“I’m the same age as some of these guys, but I do feel like I’m a man against the boys. I feel very ready for the challenge. I’ve probably not trained this well in seven years.”

Peacock was fifth at last year’s World Championships and admits world number one, Italy’s Maxcel Amo Manu, and defending champion Felix Strong are the ones to beat.

“The world record (10.61 secs) has been ready to go for five or six years now, and maybe that’s what it will take,” he added. “There are five or six who could do it, and I think this is the most competitive event at the Games. The difference is, I have the ability to step it up when it matters, and I’ve proven that.

“I really won’t be happy to leave here with nothing and once you’ve tasted gold, that’s all you really want.”

Experience is not in short supply in the British ranks. Before London 2012, no athlete had represented ParalympicsGB eight times but in Paris we will see three golden oldies who have done so.

Dame Sarah Storey will become the first British athlete to compete at nine Games, with Britain’s greatest Paralympian having made her debut as a swimmer at Barcelona 1992.

And Peacock insists there’ll be no teary montage of his best moments screening any time soon.

“This is likely to be one of my best-ever years, which means it would be a bit silly to stop now,” he added. “My plan is definitely to go to LA, and for Paris not to be my last one. I have no plans of retiring!

“People forget that I was only 19 at London 2012. I’m 31 now, which I get is getting up there, but for a sprinter, we’re seeing people only just reach the big stage at that age.”