Dame Kelly: 'British girls are world class'

Last Modified: 04 Jul 2008
Source: ITN

Dame Kelly Holmes believes the Olympic trials in Birmingham will showcase the world class strength of British women's middle distance running.

The Athens Olympics gold medallist expects the women's 800 metres and 1500 metres contests to be among the most competitive at the National Championships in Birmingham's Alexander Stadium.

Marilyn Okoro, Jenny Meadows and Jemma Simpson all have the 800metres qualifying standard for Beijing but they will be pushed close by others, including Vicky Griffiths and Amanda Pritchard.

The 1500 metres is even more competitive, with the quartet of Susan Scott, Steph Twell, Hannah England and Commonwealth champion Lisa Dobriskey having all secured the Olympic guideline time.

Dame Kelly, 38, who is heavily involved in the development of British women's middle distance running, said: "I think it is superb that there is such competition among the British middle distance girls at the moment.

"Arguably we've never had it so good in terms of real strength in depth."

She added: "Potentially there are five or six girls who would fancy their chances of making the team for Beijing in the 800 metres and it's the same in the 1500 metres, including Hannah England who I've worked with on the 'On Camp with Kelly' initiative.

"I for one will be looking at the results in Birmingham with real interest."

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