Oxford's Carolyn Plateau insists she is ready to translate her promising junior form into senior success after being handpicked to attend Dame Kelly Holmes' athletics training camp.
The 19-year-old, from Headington, was one of 40 youngsters invited to a ten-day educational camp in Loughborough as part of Holmes' Norwich Union funded On Camp with Kelly' scheme.
And Plateau (pictured) - who is in her last year as a junior - is hoping the experience will help her turn a few heads at the Olympic Trials later this year.
She said: "I am an under 23 now so there is no major competition this year.
"But I want to go to the nationals and perform well - I will probably do 800m there and then I want to go to the Olympic trials and race against the best in the country.
"It is a privilege to race against the top girls as in Britain the 800m is really strong. It is awesome.
"The competition is great and everyone, including the top girls, knows that they will get a great race in a domestic meet as the competition is so strong.
"I think all the girls who have been involved from the start are aiming to make the transition from junior to senior and I am no different.
Holmes masterminded the scheme in 2004, with her initial crop including the likes of Beijing hopeful Laura Finucane.
And the two-time Commonwealth champion Holmes is confident Radley Athletics Club runner Plateau is on the same path to success.
"I'm really proud of all the older girls," said Holmes. "They have grown in stature as athletes and as people.
"They all have the belief that they can reach the next level and that is important. To see the results we have had is great and I am really pleased for all of them.
Norwich Union is working with Kelly Holmes to prepare future champions through her successful mentoring scheme, 'On Camp with Kelly'.
Now in its fourth year, the educational camp will see a trial introduction of boys to the programme.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article