TIM Benjamin insists he is ready to become the golden boy of 400metre sprinting and put Welsh one-lap running back on track.
Wales has always enjoyed strong representation in the 400m discipline, but in recent years the Principality has fallen away and Benjamin reckons he is just the man to restore that respected tradition.
Twenty-two-year-old Benjamin grew up watching the likes of Englishman Roger Black and Welsh duo Jamie Baulch and Iwan Thomas make their mark on the international scene, but now he insists it is his turn.
Speaking at Team GB's preparation camp in Cyprus, Benjamin said: "The 400m in Wales hasn't been up to it's usual high standards with Iwan and Jamie being down for whatever reason and so we need someone to take it over and put it back up there where it belongs and hopefully I'm the man to do that for them.
"I don't know why people like Iwan Thomas, Jamie Baulch and Matt Elias have fallen away but these are guys I looked up to when I was younger and now I'm beating them convincingly and it is a bit sad but that is they way it goes.
"It is my time now and I want to grab it by the scruff of the neck and show people that I really can compete on the international circuit."
However, at the age of just 22 the Cardiff-born sprinter, who dates Newport 1500m runner Natalie Lewis admits that Athens 2004 may have come a couple of years too early.
"I'm really looking at this as a platform," he said.
"This one is about experiencing the Olympics and using it as a learning curve and getting out of it what I can and go as far as I can.
"I'm only 22 now so to go to Beijing at the age of 26 will be awesome as I'll be reaching my peak and then hopefully London in 2012 when I'll be 30 so there are some good targets out there for me.
"I had knee surgery not long ago so I didn't think that I was going to go anywhere so I've definitely been surprised with some of my times.
"I'm there now and it is something that I really want to build on and my aim is to run sub 45 seconds and now at 22 I've propelled myself onto the international circuit and I'm up there competing with the best in the world and I've got a ten year plan to become the best in the world myself.
"I want to go as far as I can and come out of there with a personal best and if I do that then I will be pleased because like I've said it is only recently that I've had knee and hamstring problems so that speaks for itself.
"Running under 45 seconds is definitely a realistic target for me.
"I've already run 45.04 and just need to make it to 300m quicker and I'll get under 45 and that is my aim for Athens."
But while Benjamin is writing off his chances of a medal in the individual 400m, the Welshman feels Great Britain have a great chance in the relay.
He said: "In the relay we have a great chance if we can get the running order right then we have every chance of medal.
"We have four great guys in myself, Daniel Caines, Malachi Davis and Chris Rawlinson so if we get it right then you never know."
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