25th June 2008 00:29
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| Andy Baddeley winning in Annecy |
The 26-year-old has been one of a number of plus points for British athletics this summer, with a memorable victory in Oslo's Dream Mile followed up by gold over 3000m in last weekend's European Cup.
And Baddeley believes that two more wins at the Aviva National Championships and the Emsley Carr race at Crystal Palace next month will send him to Beijing with real belief that he can get among the medals.
Particularly as in the London race he will meet reigning world champion Bernard Lagat of the USA, and world and Commonwealth medallist Craig Mottram of Australia.
He said: 'I am looking forward to competing against Bernard and Craig at the Emsley Carr Mile next month, they are my main rivals and it will be great to gauge how my preparation is going before we all head to Beijing.
'Having recently won the Dream Mile in Oslo I am full of confidence ahead of Birmingham and London and would love to add the Emsley Carr Mile to my name which would give me a unique double in an Olympic year.'
The Emsley Carr Mile has been run since 1953 and is the world's longest continually held race over the distance. Seb Coe, Steve Ovett, Said Aouita and Hicham El Guerrouj are among those entered in a bound red leather book which is traditionally signed signed by all the winners.
Baddeley added: 'I am aware of the history of this great race with past winners such as John Landy, Roger Bannister and Seb Coe and I would love to get my name in that winners' book.'
Before the Crystal Palace test however Baddeley will race at the Aviva National Championships in Birmingham.
He said: 'The Aviva National Championships are one of the most important events of a very important year for me. I will be looking to really test myself in what will be a vital stepping stone towards Beijing.'