Williamson warns against pressures of expectation

By Gerard Meagher

SIMEON Williamson has warned the British public not to expect miracles at the Aviva London Grand Prix on Friday - but insists the World Championships will be a different story.

FOCUS: Simeon Williamson only has one 2009 ambition - and that's success at this month's IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin (Getty Images)

The 23-year-old was installed as the new British 100m champion earlier this month, after claiming the scalp of European indoor champion Dwain Chambers at the World Trials in Birmingham.

A week later, Williamson lined up against triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt in Paris - but could only muster a pedestrian 10.14 seconds as the Jamaican romped home in 9.79 secs.

Williamson is yet to break the ten-second barrier - something he is only too aware must be done in Berlin next month if he is to reach the final.

And while Williamson will get another chance to race the clock - and Bolt - at Crystal Palace this weekend, he has called on the British public to get off his back if he is found wanting in south London.

"I think the British media and the public are too quick to look for a hero in sprinting," he said.

"If there were a couple of guys going fast it would be easier but when there's just one, the pressure mounts up.

"I'm going to Crystal Palace and looking to run fast but it's all about make little changes to get as ready as I can for the World Championships.

"Obviously I'll be competing against Usain and Asafa Powell and I'm looking forward to that. I raced against Usain in Paris and people were expecting me to go under ten seconds but I always knew I wouldn't.

"But I think that was the fastest race I've ever been involved in. So as long as I know I'm progressing bit by bit, I'm happy and the focus for me is obviously Berlin.

"I'm determined to make the final in Berlin - if I didn't think I could do that I wouldn't rate myself as an athlete - and once there who knows who will be among the medals.

"And the fact I'll have heats to get myself going is a great help, hopefully Crystal Palace will help with my preparation but it's not the be all and end all."

EXPRESSION OF INTENT: Simeon Williamson streaks clear of Dwain Chambers to win his first national title in Birmingham (Getty Images)

While Williamson is yet to join the sub-ten-second elite, Bolt and reigning 100m and 200m world champion Tyson Gay have been going toe-to-toe this season and have both broken 9.8 secs.

Bolt, a year younger than Williamson, has stated his belief he can take his world record as low as 9.54 secs - but the British number one is adamant the Jamaican is still beatable.

"He will be beaten sooner or later - everyone is beatable," added Williamson. "Everyone said when Asafa was on top of the world that he couldn't be beaten but then along came Bolt.

"And before he ran in 9.76 in Jamaica last year his personal best was 10.03 secs - the same as mine. So there's no reason I can't make the progression he has.

"Tyson and Usain might be everyone's favourites in Berlin but anything can happen once you get to the final. I don't want to put down any targets but anything can happen on the day."