ALEX Nelson is confident he has booked his spot at the

Olympic Games after a superb performance at the trials in

Birmingham.

The 20-year-old from Holden Bridge finished second behind

Christian Malcolm in the 200m at the Alexander Stadium in 20.61

seconds.

The selectors usually take the first two athletes over the

line in the final, if they have achieved the A standard.

And Nelson had already reached the qualification time

necessary to reach Beijing after running a British League

record of 20.49 the previous weekend.

He therefore looks to have qualified for Beijing – although

some slight doubt exists as defending champion Marlon Devonish

was unable to take part in the trials due to a virus.

However, Nelson said: “I did what I set out to do and that

was to come in the top two.

“I was told by a leading UK Athletics official that if I did

that then I would be selected.

“I missed so much of the winter through injury so I am

delighted to be running so well.

“This time six months ago the medical team in Birmingham

were saying that if I got out and ran without pain this season

it would be a great achievement.

“Now I am hopefully on my way to the Olympics. I am

collecting my kit today so I am assuming I am going.

“To be honest I am glad to it is over and done with. It has

been a very stressful week.

“However, I have come through three tough races over the

weekend that has taxed me mentally and physically.

“I knew I had to go out hard and try to keep my form and

give myself a chance. I knew Christian would be strong because

he has run 20.08 in the World Championships. My goal was to get

in the top two and I have done that. Winning was not so

important this time.

“That was my second fastest ever time over 200 metres and

every time I run now I am getting quicker.

“Going to the Olympics is going to be a great experience and

I am sure I will learn a lot.

“If I can get a good winter this year then I should be

running even quicker next year. I will give it my best in

Beijing”.

Steve Lewis, from Light Oaks, was in a class apart as he

took the AAAs pole vault title.

He has already exceeded the Olympic A standard of 5.70m on

three occasions.

Though he only cleared 5.60 in winning gold, he was 30cm

ahead of nearest challenger Scott Simpson.

Lewis said: “I am really happy with the way I performed and

am confident I will be selected to go to the Olympics”.

The Newham and Essex Beagles athlete endured a

one-and-a-half hour wait before finally entering the

competition.

He cleared his entry height of 5.40 and absolutely soared

over his first attempt at 5.60.

Buoyed by his success he had three valiant attempts at

creating a new British record of 5.82, but failed narrowly.

The 22-year-old Loughborough student said: “Everything went

according to plan, but the wait really unsettled me as several

of the other guys came into the competition at heights under

5m.

“I absolutely creamed that clearance at 5.60.

“It was awesome. I have now done 5.71 three times and have

at least three more international competitions before I go to

Beijing to be jumping consistently closer to 5.80.

“I was really close to going over 5.80 today. I think I will

need to jump that high to get into the final. I am in really

good shape and full of confidence. It would be lovely to go

with the British record under my belt”.

Elsewhere, 18-year-old Stevie Stockton, of Vale Royal AC,

finished 12th in the women's 1,500m final with a time of

4:28.47. Staffordshire University's Nick Gayle came eighth in

the men's 110m hurdles in 14.19 seconds and Stoke AC's Emma

Jackson was seventh in the women's 800m in 2:04.32.