Gemili can’t wait to battle it out with Zharnel

ECOMING G the first Briton n to dip under er 10 seconds s for thee 100metres as well as s break the 20-second barrier for the 200m was supposed to be a moment of celebration for Adamdam Gemili.

But, instead, it is 100 months since Gemili was escortedd off the track in a wheelchair from thehe British Trials for the World Championshipspionships having become only the sixthxth Brit to break 10 seconds. He tore a hamstring after crossing the line in n 9.97sec and although there has been a long wait to see if he can back thathat up, his ambition has not diminished. hed.

“I’ve learned what it takes to get a medal and that has given me confidence for the summer,”mer,” he says. “I want to make the Olympicympic team and be a medallist — I have e to. That’s what I train every day for.””

Britain has not been n at the forefront of global sprinting in n recent years, overshadowed by thee Jamaicans and Americans. But in 22-year-oldyear- old Gemili, British Athletics believe eve they have a potential world beater. er.

The precocious talent ent qualified for London 2012 as an 18-year-old18-year- old and then won Commonwealth nwealth Games silver for the 100m m two years on before being crownedned European champion in that same ame summer of 2014 over 200m.

And the sport in Britainitain in 2016 will finally get the chance for a first proper look at a potential rivalryvalry for the ages with 20-year-old Zharnel rnel Hughes. The latter insists he wouldld have become only the third Briton under 20sec for the 200m — John Regis egis is the other — had a back injury not flared up at the World Championships ships last August when he finished fifth, matching Gemili’s feat two yearsars earlier.

“I’ve raced him in thehe World Juniors so hopefully now we e get the chance for some good battles,”es,” says Gemili.