Support for instant Brit Davis

Malachi Davis, the American one-lap runner who has created waves by gatecrashing Britain's Olympic trials, today told selectors: "Pick me for Athens and I'll help you win a medal."

And the Californian has a powerful new backer in UK Athletics president Lynn Davies, who told Standard Sport that he would support Davis's presence in the Olympic team.

Davis, who has lived all his life in the US but qualifies for a UK passport because his mother, Ava, was born in Shepherd's Bush, finished fifth in yesterday's 400m final in Manchester just three days after picking up a British passport and 48 hours after stepping on UK soil for the first time.

As the selectors met in Manchester today, Davis, 28, said: "My message to them would be to pick me. They wouldn't regret it. I believe with myself, Tim Benjamin and Daniel Caines in the relay, we've got the potential for a team that would be a medal contender."

Davis, who already possesses the necessary qualifying standard, could still land a place in the individual 400m alongside Benjamin and Caines, the first two past the post yesterday. That, though, will only happen if Sean Baldock, third in yesterday's final but still without the 'A' qualifying standard, fails in his bid to gain the necessary 45.55sec mark within the next week.

Yet Belgrave's Baldock echoed the generous views of Davis's British competitors when he shrugged: "Everyone has dreams and I don't blame Malachi for pursuing his. He would enhance our chances in the relay."