by Alex Hoad

Adam Gemili says he is keen to give a glimpse of what is still to come from him as he prepares to make his first foray into elite 200m running.

The 18-year-old Dartford phenom missed out on a place in the Olympic 100m final by just 0.4secs in London earlier this month but is widely tipped by many to have as bright a future in the 200m event.

He is set to make his first 200m appearance against a World Class field when he lines up at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium on August 26 for his first Diamond League appearance in this country.

Gemili said: "The Olympics was an amazing experience for me. I never thought in my wildest dreams that in eight months, I would go from playing non-league football to representing my country in the biggest sporting event in the world - the Olympic Games.”

Having turned his back on footballl at the turn of the year to focus on athletics, Gemili was crowned World Junior Champion in Barcelona in July - recording a personal best time of 10.05 seconds, the seventh best ever British time.

The former Dartford Grammar School pupil said: "To compete in front of a capacity home crowd against the best athletes in the world gave me a real taste of what's to come in the next few years.

"To walk out to the roars of 80,000 people cheering you on is something I'll never forget.”

Gemili will be up against an all star line-up at Birmingham which includes Olympic finalists Churandy Martina of the Netherlands and Ryan Bailey and Wallace Spearmon of the USA as well as GB relay teammate Christian Malcolm.

Gemili said: "It will give me another opportunity to race against some of the guys that I went up against in the Olympic Games, and this is something I am relishing.

“I'm really looking forward to walking out in front of another sell-out crowd in Birmingham and running a strong 200m.”

The 18-year-old ran a 200m PB of 20.61 in a junior race in Bedford in June, but many believe that time could tumble with a bit more experience and as his technique improves.

He said: "There are going to be some 200m specialists out on the track, but I am keen to show that I can make that transition from the 100m and compete against the best.

"Make no mistake, it will be a fiercely contested race, but I'm more than capable of rising to the occasion and showing a glimpse of what is to come from me in the next few years."

The Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium will be screened on BBC1 on Sunday, August 26, between 1.30pm and 5pm.

Do you think Gemili can be even more impressive in the 200m than over 100m? Have your say below.