BRITISH women's 100m record holder Montell Douglas has told News Shopper she believes she can run even faster at the Beijing Olympics and make the finals of the sprint event.

The Blackheath & Bromley Harriers athlete, 22, was a late addition to the Team GB squad after she broke Kathy Cook's 27-year-old record with a run of 11.05 seconds at Loughborough last month.

Douglas, who was born in Lewisham and brought up in Catford, said: "I've got two weeks left for preparation. If I can hold that form in Beijing with that atmosphere and it's supposed to be a fast track, hopefully I can run faster out there.

"I was hoping before to better my performance last year in the Worlds (the World Indoor Championships in March) and get to the semi-final. But with the record under my belt and my confidence right now, hopefully, I can make the final."

Unfortunately, Douglas' last competitive appearance prior to running in the Bird's Nest Stadium, the Aviva London Grand Prix at her home track in Crystal Palace, did not go to plan.

In a tough line-up, which included Beijing medal hopefuls Marshevet Hooker of the US and Jamaica's Veronica Campbell, a false start in a neighbouring lane seemed to unsettle the Harrier and she went out in her heat in a time of 11.27s.

Douglas said: "I've been in shape in training so I wanted to pull it out in the race.

"I wanted to come here and do my best.

"Unfortunately, there was a flyer in the race.

"I didn't get the best start so I was a bit disappointed with the run."

Despite the setback, Douglas' sights are firmly set on the Olympics and she believes her new-found focus is paying dividends.

She said: "I've got the Olympics to focus on so hopefully I can get this out of my mind.

"I'm in good shape. The last two weeks things have really been coming together, with all down to my training and my mental focus. I've had a lot of a change in my mental attitude in the last couple of weeks and tried to have a bit more self belief."

"I've got a lot of confidence in myself. I'm looking forward to the Olympics because it's going to be an amazing experience. Hopefully, I'll do the business."

Unsurprisingly, Douglas says her recent record-breaking run has been key to this self-confidence. Though the bubbly sprinter is keen to make new headlines, the record has captured people's imaginations.

She said: "People don't let me forget. I'm reminded of it everyday.

"It was unbelievable. I can't even describe it. It was a bit of a shock.

"I thought I was in the shape to run 11.1s or 11.2s or get a PB but when I saw it was 11.05s I was a little bit beside myself.

"Training showed I could run that. Speed wise it was in there.

"My trainer said I should be able to run that and being so tall I should have a good top end (last stage of race)."

Douglas says she has tried not to let the pressure of expectation after the Loughborough run get to her.

She said: "I try to take things one step at a time. With running you have to think about right now, not the future. That's what I did when I ran my best time."

With Olympic track and field events starting on August 15, Douglas' "right now" has arrived.