ALISON Leonard, the Blackburn Harrier, has vowed to kick on towards the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The middle-distance star narrowly missed out on securing a place in the Great Britain and Northern Ireland women’s 800 metres squad in China last month.

It proved a bitter disappointment for Leonard, 25, who came into the season with high hopes, as she had already achieved the World Championship qualifying standard.

“I had my tantrum when I wasn’t selected, I was very upset,” said Leonard.

“Of course the disappointment of not going to the World Championships was immense, and it was hard watching everybody out there.

“I didn’t see a lot of it on television to be honest. I couldn’t watch. It was hard not to go - but I’m over it now.”

Leonard, now under the watchful eye of athletics coach Bud Baldaro, added: “The biggest disappointment was the fact that I felt so well.

“I was in the best shape of my life at the start of this season, feeling really good.

“I’ve been running well this year, and to be so close to selection, and the fact that it was such a narrow decision added to that dejection.

“I disagreed with the selectors’ decision, but I suppose I’m a bit biased aren’t I?”

Leonard had achieved the qualifying time but failed to finish in the top two at the British trials to guarantee her place.

The selectors then opted to pick Jenny Meadows rather than Leonard for the championships.

Leonard, the former English Athletics Under-20 champion, admits her track season is probably over now as she battles a niggling injury.

She said: “I’ve a hamstring injury, so I think that could be it competitively outdoors.

“However, it has just increased my determination to challenge for an Olympic place next year – that’s my big aim now.”

While there was disappointment for Leonard, hammer thrower Sophie Hitchon had plenty to celebrate on her return home to Burnley from the World Championships.

Hitchon, also a member at Blackburn Harriers, broke her own British record on her way to a fourth-placed finish in the women’s hammer final in Beijing.

The 24-year-old, who qualified in eighth spot for the final, improved the British record with a final throw of 73.68m and missed out on a bronze medal by just 16cm.

“I don’t think Sophie gets the recognition that she deserves, she is a hugely talented athlete,” said Leonard.

“Any personal best or a British record is something to celebrate, and to be so close to a medal was an amazing effort by her.

“The team performed really well overall, finishing fourth in the medals table, and that certainly bodes well for the Olympic year because British athletics seems to be in a very good place.”