UPBEAT: Hannah England is focusing the future after missing out on selection for the Beijing Olympics
Oxford City's Hannah England was philsophical, despite failing in her bid for selection for the British Olympic team for Beijing.
The 1500m runner missed out, despite posting an Olympic A qualifying time in winning the American Collegiate AA Championships last month.
She finished third at the Olympic trials at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium, and needed to run a qualifying standard again to stand a chance of being selected.
And although she was in the Stade de France on Friday, she could not get a place in the line-up for the Golden League meeting, with Stephanie Twell getting the nod.
Twell responded by posting a lifetime best of 4mins 5.83secs to earn a slot in the team.
England said: "It's a bit frustrating that I didn't make it. I feel I could have raced better in England than I did.
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"But I've had a lot of luck along the way, and maybe I used it all up when I was in America.
"On the bright side, I've made a lot of progress in the last year, so I just hope I can continue to improve."
England's Olympic hopes had only emerged in recent months following outstanding success in the States.
But she had remained hopeful of achieving the qualifying standard for a second time - which was needed in order to be selected.
She said: "I thought I could run under 4mins 7secs at some point in the English season.
"Had I managed to get into the Golden League meeting, I would have had a chance. It would have been a great opportunity for me."
England is now looking to the future - firstly completing her biochemistry degree at Birmingham University.
She said: "Once my degree is finished, I'm looking forward to really focusing on my running. I still have a lot to aim for, with London in four years time."
England is in action at this weekend's Aviva London Grand Prix, where she will compete in the 1500m on Friday and 800m on Saturday.
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