Not much has changed in the nine months since Louise Hazel clubbed the Commonwealth’s best multi-eventers into agreeing it would probably be best for all concerned if the heptathlon gold medal came back to Birmingham with her.

The self-belief that carried her to the top of the Delhi podium remains unadulterated, the out-going nature continues to be impervious to the pressure of mounting expectations and the determination to fulfil every last molecule of her athletic ability is as steadfast as ever.

That is not to say there have been no changes. Unfortunately her shot putt coach Bob Weir has returned to the States and the performances that threatened 13m have gone with him.

It is a small fly in an increasingly potent ointment, though and her view of the situation – “I’ll find a good throw on the day like I always do” – displays both that faith in herself and a trademark grasp of reality.

When the chips are down the 25-year-old responds with something special just as she did in India when the dream appeared to be fading she produced the long jump of her life.

Those efforts and her tearful and heartfelt reaction as she crossed the 800m finish line dragged her out of Jessica Ennis’ shadow and thrust her into the national limelight.

And that’s where some things have changed. “You get people just coming up and talking to you – which I don’t mind because I love a good chit-chat.

“But I do get confused if I’ve met them before and whether they know me or are approaching me for the first time. That’s a bit weird.

“And the boys down at the track are jealous because I’ve got a new car – a Jaguar,” she giggles.

“Only a couple of years ago I could barely afford a vehicle big enough to get my javelins in. Now I’ve got room for the javs, my shoes and about six passengers as well.

“It’s nice to have those little perks and be looked after when you represent your country. After all, if you were the tenth or 15th best accountant in the world who knows how many Jags you’d have?” Just like one of those javelins – she has a point.

Her job this summer, however, will be to improve that standing even further.

Commonwealth titles are nice to have but they are not high-octane enough to power the reputation of a truly world class heptathlete.

While Hazel made her big breakthrough with 14th place at the World Championships two years ago, Ennis romped to victory in Berlin.

Everything the Sheffield athlete has done since then has cemented her place at the top of the sport and while statistics don’t tell the whole story, Ennis’ personal best score is more than 600 points better than Hazel’s.

Most heptathletes insist they don’t focus on the people around them, though.

The event, which combines seven disciplines across two days, is too demanding to worry about what others are doing.