SPRINTER Liam MacDevitt is all set to blast from the blocks for Team GB at the Olympic Games in Rio next year.

The 20-year-old is now in discussions with the country’s best ever sprinter, Olympic gold medalist Linford Christie, who could become his coach as he trains to increase his speed in the hope of winning a medal in Brazil next summer.

Liam, of Tilehurst, only just missed out on a place at the World Championships held in Beijing last month by the narrowest of margins to the countries' four faster runners in the 400m.

But the disappointment during the last whirlwind year is spurring on the athlete to improve in order to cement his position as one of the best sprinters in the country.

This year alone he has become the Irish indoor under 23 champion in the 200m and silver medalist in the 400m. He was the second fastest at the 400m in the Ireland Seniors and top five fastest in the British 400m and second fastest under 21 in 400m under 23.

He said: “I was gutted to miss out on going to Beijing.

“This year has been frustrating as I did a lot of catch up training and this category is very competitive.

“But they take the top six or eight to Rio so in reality I have to keep healthy and fit and get a little bit faster and I’ll be there. It feels awesome.”

He added that a couple of losses against senior competitors on the European circuits has had an effect on him.

He said: “I have high expectations and I am my own biggest critic.

“A couple of losses has been good for me and kept me humble but more motivated to carry on.”

The 400m, 200m, and 100m sprinter walked into the Reading Chronicle’s town centre office last October asking for help to find sponsorship so he could concentrate on his training.

The John Sykes Foundation have sponsored Liam for a year paying for physio, travel and gym fees.

Liam said that has led to his former employers, Roc Search, looking to take up the mantle of sponsorship.

His physio, Karma Therapy Rooms in Cross Street, is a new sponsor after treating Liam.

His success on the European circuit is now catching the eye of global sponsors like athletic clothing company ASICS.

He has one year left to study for a degree in English Literature and is going to be taking his story to motivate children in schools in the town. He will be visiting his former secondary school Little Heath this month in a bid to launch an academy. Now his mother Tara and grandfather, who have been his biggest supporters, are looking at spending next summer in Rio de Janeiro.