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Last Updated: Sunday, 25 July, 2004, 18:15 GMT 19:15 UK
Welsh stars in Athens boost
Tim Benjamin
Tim Benjamin and Christian Malcolm were the pick of the Welsh athletes at the Norwich Union International in Birmingham on Sunday.

Benjamin finished second in the 400m in a time of 46.34 seconds. Jamaican Michael Blackwood won in 46.08.

Malcolm produced a season's best time of 20.53 to come third in a strongly-run men's 200m.

Another Olympic hopeful, Hayley Tullett, also continued her fine form with a third place in the 800m.

She finished second in Paris on Friday in the 1,500m - the distance she will compete at in Athens - and said she was pleased to have produced another competitive performance.

I think I can go sub 45 and that will give me a good chance of getting to the Olympic final
Tim Benjamin
"I just struggle with the 800m on the initial pace, and by the time I do catch them up they surge again," she told BBC Sport.

"I'm out of position in the final stages and to be in the right position I need to be faster in the first 200 metres.

"But I'm not that type of athlete so I have to put up with what I've got."

Benjamin said he felt tired after his struggle to guarantee Olympic selection, but still managed to put in an impressive run to edge out American Derrick Brew in the 400m.

He said: "I'm pleased to get second and I beat both the Americans. Blackwood is among the best in the world and I finished just a metre and half behind.

"I was feeling very flat after the emotional comedown of winning the AAAs, but I'm pleased to come here and give a good performance.

"I think I can go sub 45 and that will give me a good chance of getting to the Olympic final."

Catherine Murphy, who has been selected for the Olympic relay team, finished fifth in the 400m. Natalie Lewis was sixth in the 1,500m and James Thie was seventh in the men's race.



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