TRAFFORD Athletics Club 400m star Andrew Steele is looking forward to competing in the Beijing Olympics next month after a traumatic 24 hours at the GB trials in Birmingham.

Steele, 24, coasted into the final with a win over GB number one Martyn Rooney in the semis – but couldn’t compete in the final due to a torn hamstring which threatened his possible selection for Beijing.

It could have meant Steele would suffer the same fate as Trafford’s star heptathlete Jessica Ennis.

But a scan on the injury confirmed only minor damage and Andrew was delighted when his selection for the 400m and 4x400m relay was confirmed. Didsbury-based Andrew said: "I am very relieved and very happy, and I had no idea that when I left Birmingham whether I would be considered.

"Competing at World Championships and Commonwealth Games is great but the Olympics are what matters."

Other local athletes who have booked their places include Sale Harriers sprinter Alex Nelson, Wythenshawe Park-trained middle-distance stars Tom Lancashire and Michael Rimmer, Sale sprint hurdler Andrew Turner and clubmate Kate Dennison in the pole vault.

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