Back on track

The Swindon distance runner has been beset by fitness problems throughout his career and another bout of tendonitis had left him inactive since January forcing his withdrawal from the London Marathon last month.

But O'Dowd bounced back at Balmoral at the weekend, finishing a respectable seventh in a strong five-mile road-race.

Now the 27-year-old has his sights set on August's IAAF World Championships in Paris where he aims to book his place in Britain's marathon team for Athens 2004.

Three Brits will be selected to travel to Greece for the 26-mile discipline next year and O'Dowd is currently rated within the the country's top trio, despite his injury woes.

Now a top-20 finish at August's World Championships will ensure O'Dowd's place at the Olympics.

The Swindon Harrier confirmed: "It has been a difficult few months with the tendonitis but seventh at Balmoral was okay and now I can concentrate on Paris in August.

"Finishing in the top 20 is the main aim, but it is possible I can set my sights higher it depends who's there."

Should O'Dowd fail to make the top 20 or if he is hampered by injury again, he has a contingency plan.

October's New York marathon where he finished eighth on his 26-mile debut last year could give him a final chance to run the 2hour 12min qualifying time.

He said: "At the moment, myself, Mark Steinle and John Brown are the top three Brits the next group are running about 2:15 or 16.

"So if things don't work out in August there will be other opportunities for me such as New York.

"There is some pressure though. In this event you can only run so many races in a year so you have to perform when you do.

"The key is in the build up and the preparation.

"Hopefully mine will be right and I can make the Olympic team."

O'Dowd's World Championship preparations are scheduled to continue with a 10k run in Manchester on Bank Holiday Monday.