Baldock in the running at Olympics

The Hastings-based star, who touched down in Athens on Monday, was confident of taking part when the initial seven man squad was announced last month and his cause has been further aided by the injury withdrawals of Daniel Caines and Chris Rawlinson during the past week.

The only remaining member of the party to have finished higher in the Norwich Union Olympic Trials and AAA Championships was British number one Tim Benjamin, although Malachi Davis was preferred for the third slot in the individual 400 metres.

The heats are due to take place on Friday August 28 with the final the next day.

"I'm 90 per cent sure but you still never know," the 27-year-old former Hillcrest Language College pupil said. "I'm definitely feeling good. Everything went really well in Cyprus (where the athletics squad members of Team GB held a pre-Games training camp) and seems to be going well here. Hopefully, fingers crossed, I will get a run out on Friday.

"I still think with the five we've got available we can still make the final but we're going to have to run really well to get through. Maybe the medal chances have gone away now but you never know, other countries might have the same problems as we're having.

"But everyone seems really keen and up for it and there's definitely a good spirit in the camp. Surprisingly we've done really, really well and it definitely does rub off on you." He concluded: "I haven't got any nerves at the moment but I definitely will have on Friday!"

Britain will join Botswana, Germany, Jamaica, France, Japan, Greece and Australia in heat one from 7pm tonight. The final takes place on Saturday evening at approximately 8.25pm.

Revised GB squad: Sean Baldock, Tim Benjamin, Malachi Davis, Matt Elias, Robert Tobin.