Islington sprinter is back from injury and ready to battle at Team GB Olympic trials

Simeon Williamson is hoping history will repeat itself as he aims to secure a London 2012 place at the all-important Team GB Olympic trials in 10 days’ time.

The 26-year-old Islington sprinter has returned from a two-year injury nightmare in time to battle for a place at the Olympics in his home city, but is yet to produce a performance that suggests he can achieve the 100m qualifying time of 10.18 seconds or take one of the top two places in the trials in Birmingham on June 24.

His latest race, in France last Saturday, saw him finish fourth in the men’s 100m heats in Lille, in a lacklustre 10.65s, and his season’s best is only 10.58.

But the Highgate Harriers athlete is now back to full fitness and believes he can upset the form book and pull out a big run in Birmingham, just as he did to sensationally win the trials in 2009 and book his place at the World Championships.

“I would like to have more but it’s just been the injuries I’ve had,” said Williamson.“The training has been going well so I don’t know why I’m not marrying it enough on the track. I’m hoping come the trials everything will happen.”

So far only 18-year-old sensation Adam Gemili, who clocked 10.08 earlier this month, and James Dasaolu have achieved the UK Athletics Olympic qualifying standard A mark.

The pressure is mounting on Williamson and fellow Islington sprinter Dwain Chambers ahead of the trials, but Williamson remains positive.

“I’m usually good at raising my game,” he continued. “I’m hoping but we’ll see what happens in two weeks’ time.

“Obviously Adam Gemili ran the fastest time so far this season which is the reason why everyone is talking about the 100m. I obviously have to finish top two and make sure I get that time to qualify but it’s more wide open right now. Both in training and racing I feel good so I am confident in my ability.”

Chambers, whose lifetime Olympic ban for a drugs conviction has been has been overturned allowing him to compete in the London Games, is also struggling to make the grade

He clocked 10.29 in Turin, Italy on Friday night and said afterwards: “I’m just going to keep on working but I know it’s there.”

Chambers, 34, has won the 100m trials and UK title for the last two years while Williamson was sidelined with a serious knee injury, but was beaten into second place by his younger rival in 2009.