DESPITE fluffing her lines in spectacular style on her major senior international debut this summer Chorley’s Holly Bleasdale can be the star of next year’s Olympics – according to British pole vault teammate Steve Lewis.

Lewis, who claimed silver at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi last year, and Bleasdale were part of a British trio at the World Championships in Daegu in August.

After claiming a new British record of 4.70m and the European under-23 title in the build up to her South Korean adventure, Bleasdale was tipped by many as an outside medal chance. However, the Blackburn Harrier came back to earth with a bang, buckling under the pressure of a world-class field and failing to register a height on her way to bowing out in qualifying.

That setback has led to question marks over her Olympic credentials with Bleasdale’s tender years, she will still only be 20 at the Games, and perceived lack of experience counting against her.

But Lewis believes there should be no questions raised about Bleasdale’s temperament for London 2012 – insisting his British teammate has what it takes to be a medal contender in the capital.

“I hope, and really believe, that in London Holly can really shine on the biggest stage of them all,” said Lewis.

“She has the capability that she can do something special and I would love for it to be in London when all eyes are on her.

“She is no stranger to having expectation on her because she has handled it so well as she has risen up the ranks so I don’t think she will have any trouble at London.”

“It is hard to believe just how young Holly is and just how good an athlete she is,” he added. “Holly is still such a young athlete but she is already performing at a world-class level and she is more than holding her own and she has shown great talent already.”

n The Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards recognise outstanding achievements in school sport across the country, and are part of Aviva’s wider commitment to support the next generation of British sporting talent. For more information go to aviva.co.uk/athletics