PRESTON runner Helen Pattinson has flown out to Canada in preparation for the World Athletics Championships.

She is hoping to go one better then her Olympic semi-final last year by making the final of the womens' 1500m event.

Winning the AAAs national trials was a turning point in Helen's season having finished second four times to closest rival Hayley Tullett on previous occasions.

This time she led from the front, not usually a place she likes to be, but she stayed strong in the last 300m and came home first.

Zara Hyde Peters, UK Athletics technical director for endurance athletes, said of Helen's chances,

"Helen's had a different approach this time in that she has been training at altitude, and Edmonton is low altitude, so she should do very well."

Helen's main competitors will be the Russian athletes, who have very fast finishes - which makes all the difference at this distance.

Last summer Helen reached the semi finals of the Olympic 1500m and finished ninth.

"The Olympics was a great experience," said Helen, "It taught me how to deal with pressure situations."

Hopefully Helen will not get caught up in any of the pushing and shoving that marred last year's Olympic final.

"It was quite a dirty race, but that happens regularly in 1500m. I was pleased to get to the semis, but I wasn't pleased with my performance in that round - I thought I should have made the final," added Helen who runs for Preston Harriers.

Britain has several gold medal hopes. Leading contenders are Jonathan Edwards in the triple jump, Paula Radcliffe in the 10,000m and Steve Backley in the Javelin after he threw over 90m for the first time in nine years at the British Grand Prix last Sunday.