Gemili ready for Games chance
British teenage sprinter Adam Gemili has sought to allay fears he was
unprepared for the Olympic Games by insisting he was looking forward to
running against the likes of Usain Bolt in London.
The 18-year-old, a former footballer who had spells with several
clubs including European champions Chelsea, Gemili only turned to
athletics full-time in January. But he is now Britain's top-ranked 100
metre runner this year after posting a time of 10.08 seconds in
Regensburg, Germany on June 2.
That catapulted Gemili to the top of the national rankings with an
Olympic 'A' standard qualifying time. He then had to finish first or
second in the national trials to secure his Games place, something he
did when finishing runner-up to the vastly more experienced Dwain
Chambers.
His coach, Michael Afilaka insisted running in London was still not
guaranteed, saying he was concerned Gemili might be burnt out in the
"cauldron" of a home Olympics.
AFP |