THERE WAS disappointment for Newham & Essex Beagles athlete Victoria Ohuruogu at the Aviva English Schools Track and Field Championship in Sheffield this weekend, but big sister Christine was quick to tip the 16-year-old to bounce back. The St Edwards Ch

THERE WAS disappointment for Newham & Essex Beagles athlete Victoria Ohuruogu at the Aviva English Schools Track and Field Championship in Sheffield this weekend, but big sister Christine was quick to tip the 16-year-old to bounce back.

The St Edwards Church of England Comprehensive School student failed to make the 300m final after running 40.65 seconds in her semi-final, as she paid the price for taking time out of her training schedule to study for her GCSEs.

But Beijing 400m gold medallist and world champion Christine - who claimed the British title in Birmingham on Saturday - believes that experience won't deter her little sister from following in her footsteps to Olympic glory.

She said: "It's just great to have someone who's so young but yet so focused - she's definitely disciplined enough to get to the top, but we'll have to wait and see.

"At the minute I just want her to enjoy what she is doing and there is no way that I will be pushing her into anything.

"We talk all the time about her running and she asks me things which is great and I love to chat to her about it.

"In terms of how far she can go, no-one ever knows - if she is prepared to put the work she can go a long way because she is very talented."

Victoria now has a clear schedule ahead of next month's AAAs and she believes without the distraction of exams she can now show her true potential on the track.

She said: "I have taken about two months out of my training for my GCSEs from April to May and after that I did four or five weeks solid training, but it was obviously not enough.

"I spoke to my sister just after my semi-final and she said the same thing to me.

"She knew I hadn't been training properly, so she said that I shouldn't expect to medal if I hadn't prepared properly, because this is one of the biggest competitions there is.

"Everyone has their bad days and you can't run well all the time.

"I have got the AAA's to look forward to in about a month and I am hoping to do quite well there because I can just concentrate on my training now my exams are over.