Peeblesshire News | Sport | Test for Stacey

Monday, 8th September, 2008

Published: Friday, 11th July, 2008 23:55

Test for Stacey

By David Knox

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SPRINT sensation Stacey Downie will have to improve her times by around a second if she wants to board the plane for Beijing.

The 21-year-old will come under starter’s orders this evening at the Olympic trials in Birmingham.

But the sports science student will have to somehow knock 0.7 of a second from 100 metres best and just over a second for 200 metres to reach the qualifying times.

Despite wining the UK Under-23s 200 metres title three weeks ago - and picking up a bronze at the European Youth Games in Sweden – she is keeping her feet firmly on the ground.

Stacey told the Peeblesshire News: “I am really looking forward to competing at the Olympic trials but I don’t think I’ll be needing my passport.”

Stacey will be rubbing shoulders with the stars of UK athletics, including Craig Pickering, Marlon Devonish, Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders.

And she faces a tough task just to qualify for the semi-finals from the heats of both the 100 metres and 200 metres.

Stacey added: “To get through the heats of the 100 metres will be a tough task but I am hopeful of reaching the semi-finals of the 200 metres and maybe even the final.”

Highlights of the trials will be televised on BBC on both Saturday and Sunday evenings.

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