Fell puts pressure on herself to stay in GB team
Although she remains world number one, Tavistock's Fell is still not satisfied with her form going into the final round of the series which starts in the Eternal City today and runs until May 25.
The Beijing silver medallist is frustrated and pessimistic, despite finishing as the top Briton at last week's women's World Cup meet in Hungary.
Fell returned from the event at Szekesfehervar, with a 10th placed finish after accruing 5,348 points.
In company with team-mates Mhairi Spence and Katy Livingston, who were 13th and 27th respectively, Fell also helped GB to team bronze.
The 26-year-old's 19th position overall had secured her top Briton status in the previous World Cup event in Cairo.
Seemingly, the results indicate Fell is moving in the right direction.
Fell, though, is her most severe critic and remains unconvinced she is reaching the levels necessary to guarantee her a place in the national line-up.
And with the modern pentathlon World Championships coming up in August in London, Fell feels she has to come up with the goods at this week's tournament.
"I always strive to do better and I really think it's up to me to do that this week," said Fell.
"I may still be world number one, but I'm not the leading British female pentathlete, so that's something I need to address if I want to stay part of the GB team.
"It's not post-event fatigue or disappointment.
"I know I got through the semi-finals by the skin of my teeth in Szekesfehervar.
"I probably swam and fenced the worst I've done in years, so I really had to pull out all the stops in the running just to make the final.
"I'm not kidding myself – I need to improve in Rome."
Fell has had to come to terms with the new, truncated format at modern pentathlon, which will be used at the World Championships from August 13-17, and also the Olympic Games in 2012.
Swimming, show-jumping and fencing have all remained unaffected, but the shooting and running disciplines, which were separate events until this year, have been merged into one hybrid competition.
Because of Fell's involvement with Great Britain this week, she is unable to start the Plymouth Half-Marathon on Sunday.
It had been planned, as official ambassador for the extremely popular event, for Fell to be on the Hoe Promenade.
"Yes, it's sad, as I had been looking forward to being involved with the start of the Plymouth Half-Marathon," said Fell.
"But, unfortunately, they moved the dates of the World Cup, so the events clashed.
"I'm not able to be there, which is a real pity as I've never been to the half-marathon before."
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