NEWPORT Harrier Steve Davies has unfinished business in 2008 as he looks to right the wrongs of his World Championship exclusion.

The 23-year-old from Caldicot was left shell-shocked last summer after being overlooked for Osaka despite finishing second behind Harrow's Andy Baddeley at the British trials and recording the required 1500m B' standard.

Davies is currently in South Africa as part of a UKA Training Camp for the Norwich Union GB & NI Team as he prepares for the biggest 12 months of his life.

And after tasting international competition at the 2006 Gothenburg European Championships - Davies is in determined mood to book both his Team GB berth to the Olympics in Beijing and the World Indoors in Valencia.

"Missing out on Osaka was hard to take after running the B' standard and I'm desperate to not let that happen again," he said. "It was a huge disappointment.

"I know I've got to improve my PB significantly and be running around 3.36 minutes - I'm under no illusion it's a huge goal.

"To make the Olympics would be a huge thrill and my ultimate dream but I don't want to just make the team - I want to perform in Beijing and justify my selection.

"I will be 24 this year and that's the age where you've got to start producing the goods and getting competitive on the world stage.

"I will go indoors to break up the training but there won't be the same 100 per-cent focus as there normally is because it's Olympic year.

"I believe I'm on track and if I make the team for both the World Indoors and Olympics, I want to be challenging for the final.

"This would be my first global champs, so I know I'm not going to challenge for medals but there's no reason why I can't get through some rounds.

"That experience would be fantastic and give me loads to build on for London in 2012, which remains my ultimate goal."

Davies has been rubbing shoulders with fellow Beijing middle-distance hopefuls Baddeley, Nick McCormick and Mo Farah as he puts the finishing touches to his indoor season in South Africa.

And seeing the likes of European Cross Country champion Farah train on a daily basis - Davies revealed he must improve and be quick to challenge on the world stage.

"Being out here for the first time for three weeks is great and it's going to be a huge help for me," added Davies. "To get the sun on the back is great and training alongside some of the best British athletes has been a real eye-opener.

"It's also at altitude for the first time for me and being alongside the likes of Mo Farah and Nick McCormick everyday is teaching me a lot.

"The facilities are also first class and this is exactly what I've needed to get me onto the next level in Olympic year.

"Training with these guys is really tough and there's a competitive edge every time we go on the track.

"I finally feel I belong in this class. I've improved every year and although there's plenty more room to go still I know I'm not too far away."

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