McConnell guns for Beijing place

Britain's Lee McConnell hopes to be selected for 400m in Beijing

Lee McConnell is ready to claim a place in the Great Britain Olympic 400m squad for Beijing at the British Olympic trials which begin on Friday.

McConnell, 29, who was forced to quit hurdles at the same distance late last year, faces a tough field in Birmingham in her bid to make it to China.

"Obviously you need the A standard to make the Olympics," said the Scot.

"It's good to go into those championships already having the qualifying time."

World Championship gold and silver medallists Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders line up against her in the battle to be one of three possible Britons selected.

"It is going to be extremely difficult, the event that I do is probably the strongest in Britain, as you've got world, gold and silver medallists that are going to be competing," added McConnell.

"You have to finish in the top two, but there is a third spot that's up to the selectors.

"Preparations have been going quite well, although I tore my hamstring about four weeks ago. It means I've had to change my race schedule and it's a bit later than what I had before.

"However, it's all looking fine and I'm relatively happy with it all.

"It would be extremely disappointing to miss out on the Olympics."

McConnell is confident that her decision to concentrate on the flat event has given her the best chance of going to Beijing.

"I wasn't really coping with the strain that the hurdles add to the 400 metres," she said.

"I hope to also go in the 4x400 metres as that's one that Britain has quite a strong chance in."