Olympic Trials 2012 – Alexander Stadium, Birmingham. 25 June 2012

The GB trials took place on the 22-24 June in Birmingham, these were crucial for those trying to reach the Games in athletics. Finishing in the top two in your event there (with a few exceptions like multi-events and the 10,000m) is the best route to the Olympics.

Athletes also need to hit a system of ‘A’ and ‘B’ standards set by UK Athletics to book their places at London 2012. Those same standards may, in some circumstances, help a third athlete go to the Games in some disciplines.

During this weekend, World Champion Dai Greene booked his place at London 2012 by winning the Olympic 400m hurdles.

Dai Greene triumphed in a modest time of 49.47secs with Bath training partner Jack Green joining him in London.

Greene, the World, European and Commonwealth champion, was the class of the field despite clattering the penultimate hurdle himself, although his slow time will not worry his world rivals.

“I don’t think I was ever under threat for much of the race because I just pulled away at the end and was very confident,” said Greene, who has become the first Welsh athlete to guarantee Olympic selection.”

“It was a hard race and you had a lot of people hitting hurdles and it was carnage out there.”

“It was not the best conditions but I’m just happy to get away with the victory.”

“It’s nice to finally make my first Olympic team and it will be a great experience this summer.”

Another Definitive client to make Team GB on the weekend was Martyn Rooney, 400m runner. 

Martyn spoke after securing his place in Britain’s Olympic squad: “It is just relief. It was a challenge. Conrad (Williams) really upped his game. I just want to thank my coach Nick (Dakin). Every year he gets me into shape. I am just happy.”

In action battling for her place in Team GB was Anyika Onuora, 100m/200m sprinter.  Onuora needed to finish in the top two of the 200m at the Aviva 2012 Trials to guarantee her place and she did just that.

She also claimed second over 100m and will now travel to this week’s European Championships in Helsinki in a bid to bank the qualifying standard for a crack at a sprint double.

“I would have liked to have won but getting that Olympic place is all that really mattered this weekend,” said Onuora, who also confirmed her place in Team GB’s 4x100m relay squad.”

“I wasn’t too nervous, I’ve been here a million times before so I knew what to expect. I just need to keep myself ticking over, there is nothing major or alarming that needs to be worked on. It’s about staying fit and healthy now and making the training count.”

There is also an anxious wait for Definitive clients, Louise Hazel, Commonwealth Games Champion in the Heptathlon, Brett Morse, Welsh Discus Thrower and Danny Talbot, 200m sprinter. 

Definitive are nevertheless confident that Louise Hazel has done everything she possibly can after achieving the qualifying A standard last July with a tally of 6166.

Brett Morse and Danny Talbot have now been given the chance to make one final case to the British Selectors ahead of the final Olympic Squad being announced on the July 3 by competing in the European Championships in Helsinki.