A PRESTON runner is to achieve a lifelong ambition when he jets out to Atlanta to go for Olympic gold.

John Nuttall, aged 29, from Frenchwood, has dreamed of Olympic competition since catching the athletics bug at the age of 13.

Now he's Britain's great hope for a medal when he competes in the 5,000 metres event.

A professional runner since the age of 24, his preparations for the big event have included road training in Preston as well as altitude training in Johannesburg.

His travelling costs and training have been funded by Yates's Wine Lodge, Preston.

John, whose mum and dad will be supporting him in Atlanta, has competed in every other major competition and sees the Olympics as the final piece of the jigsaw: "It has been my ambition since I started running," he said.

"Last time I just missed out by one place. It was very disappointing."

Having reached the final of last year's World Championships in Gothenburg where he finished 13th, John - who has run for Preston Harriers for the past 15 years - has high hopes: "I want to get into the final and anything else is a bonus."

John flies out to the US on July 19 and competes on July 31.

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