Sarah Wilhelmy faces a week-long race to clinch her Olympic place after winning the 200m at the Amateur Athletic Association championships.

The 20-year-old Southend AC sprinter put on a superb display to finish first at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium in Sunday's hotly-contested qualifier.

The 1998 world junior bronze medalist had trailed going into the bend, but put in a tremendous finishing burst to cross the line ahead of Sam Davis in 23.39.

However, Sarah missed out on an automatic place for the Sydney Games because her winning time was 0.19 secs outside the qualifying limit of 23.20.

She must now break the time before next Monday's deadline to make the Great Britain squad - and there is only an international in Slovenia today (Tuesday) and a meeting in Britain next weekend to do it.

South Essex pole vaulter Kevin Hughes also put himself in the Olympic frame with victory at the Alexander Stadium.

Billericay's Rob Denmark missed out on qualification after trailing home in 10th in the 5,000m final in a time of 14m 9.29s.

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