 James McIlroy was third but ran a season's best at Crystal Palace |
James McIlroy will be Britain's 800 metres representative at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki. The Larne athelete rediscovered his encouraging early-season form with a season's best 1.46.27 minutes at the London Grand Prix on Friday night.
That was good enough for the 'B' standard for the championships which run from 6-14 August.
"It is fantastic as this is the one championship I have not been to," McIlroy told BBC Sport.
Britain's fastest two-lapper for the last decade had been chasing the 'A' standard of 1:45.40 but struggled to rid himself of a the cold in recent weeks.
The 28-year-old pulled out of the AAAs final with 200 metres left, complaining that he had been feeling unwell.
The cold has now gone and McIlroy believes he is ready move up a level in the event.
"The good time at Crystal Palace last Friday clinched my place in the GB team," added McIlroy.
"But there is still a second and a half to come down between now and the end of the season.
"I think I can get down to 1.44 - I have not raced a lot so I am still quite fresh and without doubt there is more to come."
MMIX
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