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Camden New Journal - by STEVE BARNETT
Published: 17 July 2008

Simeon Williamson

Williamson makes fast work of it

Sprinter is on his way to the Olympics after running Britain’s fourth-fastest 100 metres

SPEEDSTER Simeon Williamson is Beijing bound after recording a new personal best to finish second at the Aviva UK Championships.
Competing in the 100m at the meeting on Saturday in Birmingham, the King’s Cross sprinter crossed the finishing line within touching distance of rival Dwain Chambers as he hit home in 10.03 seconds to guarantee a place in the Great Britain squad at next month’s Olympics.
Williamson became the fourth-fastest Briton ever over the distance as he smashed his previous best time of 10.10 seconds, which he ran to win gold at the European Under-23 Championships a year ago.
It was an incredible performance for the Highgate Harrier, who saw off competition from a strong chasing field including the likes of Craig Pickering, Tryone Edgar and Marlon Devonish.
Williamson, who grew up in Copenhagen Street in Islington and went to St Mary Magdalene Primary School, said after the race: “I’m very happy. “It’ll be my first major championships as an individual.
“I like the pressure, I like performing in front of big crowds.
“I can get quicker, I don’t know how quick, but if I run like that over there [Beijing] then hopefully I’ll make the final.”
Highgate Harriers spokesman Alastair Aitken recalled how Simeon told him that he had set his sights on China three years ago after he had just won his first major outdoors title at the AAA Junior Championships.
He said: “I remember him telling me he was going to concentrate on trying for the Olympics in Beijing rather than wait for London.
“He said if he was still running in 2012 it would be a bonus.”

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