Star-struck Abby sets her sights on Beijing

SHEFFIELD'S Abby Westley is already counting down the days to Beijing after her World Athletics Championship debut.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Sep 2007, 10:30 BST
Updated 4th Sep 2007, 10:32 BST

The Hallamshire Harrier could not advance to the 1500m final, finishing seventh having reached the semi-finals..

Now, after a season that included taking an impressive gold in the European Junior Championships, the 20-year old is looking forward with optimism.

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"I'm now so looking forward to Beijing and want to be there. I can't imagine what it will feel like to miss the Olympics or another major championships now. I'd hate to watch it on TV and not be a part of it but I need to keep working hard and improving.

"It was great in Osaka. When I got to the stadium I almost had tears in my eyes," said Abby.

"I was warming-up with people like Sanya Richards and Jeremy Wariner, people I've watched on TV and admired for years. It still feels a bit unreal that I'm actually part of it.

"This season has been such a learning curve. I'm really proud of what I've achieved but I'm not going to rest. This is where I want to be and it's given me such a taste for it.

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"I'm loving what I'm doing and I'm showing that I can beat some of the best girls in the world. I'm still young but I don't see why I can't be one of the big names in a few years."

Westley's semi-final time of 4.16.21 was well off her personal best and only good enough for seventh but the pedestrian pace set by the leading contenders was to blame.

On paper she was the slowest athlete in the race but she held her own, despite being on the receiving end of some sharp elbows in a crawling race that was run at close quarters. "I don't think I 've raced with a pace that slow all season," added Westley.

"It took me by surprise because I thought the first lap alone would be ten seconds quicker.

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"It changed the race and unfortunately I wasn't in the right place at the right time and they got a jump on me that I couldn't close.

"There was quite a bit of bumping and pushing but these are world-class athletes and they are not going to give you an inch

"It was all good experience for next time."

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