CHARLOTTE Dale admits she was "shocked and surprised" that London won the bid to stage the 2012 Olympics, but already says she will aim to compete in the Marathon.

The 21-year-old former European junior cross-country champion watched the TV coverage from Singapore with her mother at their home in Millstrood Road, Whitstable, and admitted: "I was very excited and came out in goosebumps.

"I couldn’t wait to ring my dad and my coach James McNeill. It’s amazing, but I must admit it was came as quite a shock.

"I hadn’t got involved in all the build-up and speculation beforehand. Everyone I spoke to said that Paris was the favourite, and didn’t give London too much chance, so it was quite a surprise.

"I will be 28 then and at my peak, and I already intend to run in the marathon. I think it will encourage more people to get involved in sport at schools, and if I was them I would make sure I did something to try to get there."

Dale has just returned to training after five days off with a stomach bug, which means she will miss the European Under-23 track championships in Germany later this month.

Her next top-class event will be the Great North Cross Country championships in Newcastle in September.

She is also aims to compete at next year’s Commonwealth Games and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.