Rawlinson determined to make amends

Chris Rawlinson said today he is finally ready to live up to expectations and claim gold in the 400 metres hurdles for Britain.

After an ankle injury caused him to miss the World Championships in Seville in 1999 and he failed to make the final at the Olympics in Sydney last year, the Rotherhamborn runner has hit top form at just the right time here.

He booked his place in tonight's final in impressive fashion yesterday clocking a time of 48.27 seconds - the third fastest by a British man.

And with Olympic champion Angelo Taylor out of the final - he clipped a hurdle during his semi-final and failed to qualify - Rawlinson is unlikely to have a better chance to live up to his potential.

He said: "It could be anybody's race, but I am confident-of winning a medal and I don't see why it shouldn't be gold.

"It would mean so much to me if I got up on that victory podium after all the problems I have had in the last few years. I'd probably end up in tears.

"I have had a lot of injuries and missing out at the World Championships in Seville the way I did was devastating. Hopefully I can make up for that disappointment here." The 29-year-old revealed that Sylvester Stallone's 'Rocky' films were on his viewing list when he was training indoors on his exercise bike.

"I set up a video in front of the bike and I'd stick on a film and just pedal away for an hour or so," said Rawlinson. "I'd watch films like the Matrix or the Rocky series - I mean you wouldn't put the Sound of Music on would you."