Rooney reckons GB will get it right on the night

Posted: Tuesday 16th September 2008 | 17:17

MARTYN ROONEY is looking forward to a potential showdown with sprint ace Usain Bolt - and believes he can bag an Olympic medal in the process.

Britain's team of Rob Tobin, Rooney, Michael Bingham and Andrew Steele progressed to today's 4x400m final as the quickest qualifiers in a season's best and attention-grabbing 2.59.33.

But scratch teams from the United States and Jamaica were missing their big names.

And Bolt - whose sprint double electrified the Bird's Nest - is rumoured to be considering stepping up in distance to increase his medal haul.

"It's an impressive time and we were easing down as well," said Rooney. "It's a really quick track and we're looking good, it has to fill us with confidence.

"Sub three minutes is usually a medal but the standard goes up in Olympic year. We've got to run like this again and finish the job."

Rooney - who finished sixth in the men's 400m final earlier this week - certainly rates the quartet's chances.
"The other guys did all the work, all I had to do was jogged around," said Rooney.

"It's a good time and we've put ourselves in a good position. There are some very strong teams who haven't played all their cards yet.

"We deserve to be in the mix with that time but we will need to find something extra in the final."

Rooney defended his showboating tactics on the final leg as he eased down and encouraged the chasing teams to catch him up.

The Loughborough ace looks to be brimming with confidence and is already predicting Britain can upset the world and follow in the footsteps of the Athens Olympic 4x100m quartet four years ago, who landed a shock gold.

"There's nothing wrong with how I finished," added Rooney. "It's the relay, it's good fun and we'd run a good race.

"I know there's still so much more to come from this team but in the final when everyone puts in their big boys - we'll need to improve."

JAMES TONEY in Beijing