Merrien added to GB team (From Penarth Times)

Merrien added to GB team

2:03pm Friday 27th April 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

Lee Merrien has been added to the Great Britain team that will compete in the men's marathon at this summer's Olympics after the UK Athletics selection panel reconsidered his case.

The 34-year-old Guernsey athlete was the first British finisher at last weekend's London Marathon, running a personal best of two hours 13 minutes and 41 seconds, which was, however, outside the target time.

He was left out when the final runners were added to the team on Monday but there was one spot left and he appealed to UKA. That was unsuccessful but the selection panel was asked to reconsider his omission and chose to nominate Merrien after all.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been selected and I'd like to thank the selection panel for recognising the nature of my run at the weekend.

"I am now on a short rest break with my family and then I will resume training as I aim to put in my best ever performance in London."

Merrien joins Scott Overall and Dave Webb on the men's marathon team for London.

Webb was selected ahead of Merrien, even though he has an inferior personal best, because of his 15th-place finish in last year's World Championships in Daegu.

Neither runner has the Olympic 'A' standard.

The women's team includes Paula Radcliffe, Mara Yamauchi and Claire Hallissey.