Simpson finishes third in America

Simpson was the British 800m champion in 2007

Cornish 800m runner Jemma Simpson has got her season off to a promising start with a third-placed finish at the Prefontaine Classic event in America.

Simpson was up against a tough field in the 800m, including the current Olympic champion, Kenyan Pamela Jelimo, who finished seventh.

Simpson said: "In all the races across the competition they tried to make each one like an Olympic final.

"And I came away with what would have been a bronze so I was really pleased."

The 25-year-old, who was the British 800m champion in 2007, said she has improved a great deal over the past few years.

"I've learnt to be more dominant in a race," she told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"I now try to be decisive and dictate what happens before I get to the finish line, because that's the best way of trying to win these types of races."

With the World Championships being held in Berlin in August, Simpson is now focusing on qualification for the summer's most important meet.

"I have to try and win at the UK Championships in July to get selection for the Berlin, because that's the big one."

Simpson is planning to divide her training between London and America.

"You have to move on and train with international athletes and just keep pushing yourself and pushing boundaries," she added.