Buck aims for medal in 2012 games

Buck won the 400m at the 2008 National Indoor Championships

North Yorkshire's Olympic athlete Richard Buck has signalled his intent for success in 2012.

The 22-year-old was part of the Great Britain 4x400m relay squad in Beijing but he missed out on a place in the final team selection.

Buck told BBC Radio York: "I intend to be in the final.

"And from the final I hope to be in the top three and from that top three I'd like to think, with four years to go, I do have potential to come top once."

Buck had not properly recovered from illness in the build up to Beijing and his selection for the squad was subject to fitness.

In 2012 I need to be able to run at least 44 flat and if I do that, based on past Olympics, I'll be in the medals

Richard Buck

In four years time the City of York athlete intends to run the individual 400m as well as in the relay team.

"One of the things I look at is at past Olympics. Running 44 seconds flat has always got a medal so all I can do is take care of my own development and my own personal growth.

"I look at what the rest of the world's doing and that's fine. You can do that.

"If I run 44 flat and don't get a medal I've still achieved. I've met my goal and I've still done well."