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

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.