OLYMPIC hopeful Steven Lewis threatened the British

pole-vault record at Crystal Palace as he completed his final

preparations for the Beijing Games.

The 22-year-old, from Light Oaks, got off to an impressive

start at the Aviva London Grand Prix, sailing over his first

height of 5.42m and then clearing 5.62m with his next

attempt.

With his confidence sky high, the Newham and Essex Beagle

raised the bar to a new British record height of 5.82m.

And he was perilously close to clearing the mark with his

third attempt to offer hope of a decent show in China.

Lewis said: “With a bit of luck I could have had the

record.

“In my first two attempts I had to adjust my run up, so I

was too close to the bar on take-off.

“With that last attempt I hit it sweetly, but while I was in

the air I lost my form a little.

“I have got used to the bigger pole and technically my

jumping is better.

“I have been consistently around 5.70m and that should get

me into the Olympic final. I just need things to come right in

Beijing. If I can jump 5.82m that will get me close to the

medals.”

Meanwhile, Birches Head brother and sister act Alex and

Ashlee Nelson found their final preparations for Beijing tough

in the sprints.

Alex finished a disappointing seventh in a 200m final that

saw Jamaican Usain Bolt shatter the British all-comers record

in 19.76.

The 20-year-old Sale Harrier clocked 20.93, despite being

one of the fastest out of the blocks, but remained upbeat.

“I ran well up to 90m, but could not hold my form,” he

said.

“I was not overawed by the occasion. I spoke with the team

doctors and they said that it often happens that athletes have

a dip in performance between the trials and the Olympics.

“To be honest, I had not felt good all week in the run-up to

this. I had been on a high since the trials and did not realise

how much that had taken out of me.

“I think my body just needs a little time to recover and I

will get that between now and when the Olympics start.

“I am still learning a lot about my body and my

performances. That is my first poor performance of the

season.

“I'm going to the Olympics with a positive attitude and will

do my best. I will treat this as a learning curve.”

Ashlee faded in her 100m heat after making a flying

start.

The 17-year-old City of Stoke star, a surprise call-up to

Great Britain's squad for Beijing, was quickest out of the

blocks, but finished last of a field containing some top

Europeans and Americans.

“It was a nerve-racking experience,” said the world junior

silver medallist, who also ran the 4x100m B relay.

“I got a flying start and was doing well to 60m, but then

things got on top of me.

“My time was the same as the world juniors, so I have to be

pleased.

“I was last, but that is a reflection of the quality in the

race. I was pleased with the outcome and getting into these

races makes me realise what talent I'm up against.

“I am looking forward to Beijing and I'm going to make the

most of my experience even if I don't get a run.

“I could not have asked for a better season. I have run

11.37 and I'm getting better. I have time on my side.”

Alsager's Kate Dennison, meanwhile, finished last in the

women's pole vault, but still managed a season's best

performance of 4.30m.