McConnell removes Beijing hurdles

Scotland's Lee McConnell has quit the 400metres hurdles and set her sights on Olympic glory in the flat one-lap event.

The 29-year-old Glasgow athlete decided to abandon the hurdles on medical advice after struggling with nerve pain in her left leg.

She admits it was not easy for herself and coach Roger Harkins to bid farewell to hopes of hurdles glory in Beijing, saying: "It was a traumatic decision for me. It was difficult for Roger and I even to discuss it, though we'd both reached the same conclusion: that I must stop hurdles."

She added: "UKA [UK Athletics] medical staff don't want me flexing at the waist or lifting my leg up straight. So that's hurdling definitely finished."

World Championship gold and silver medallists Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders seem certain to take two of the three available places in Britain's 400m line-up for the Olympics, with McConnell left to fight for the third berth.

She is confident of breaking the 50-second barrier, considered the benchmark for world-class performance, but has yet to do so in competition, aside from in relays.

McConnell won a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2002 for the 400m, and bronze in 2006 for the 400m hurdles.

She added: "Can I win the Olympic title? I think I have as good a chance as anyone. It comes down to one race on one day."