Sanders spurred on by Beijing disappointment

NICOLA SANDERS left Beijing insisting a succession of disappointments will only make her stronger in 2012.

Sanders and her team-mates in Britain's 4x400m failed to live up to their pre-Games promise as they trailed home fifth in last week's final.

One year ago the Amersham one-lapper returned from a breakthrough major championships in Osaka with a silver and bronze.

But a season punctuated by injuries gave her too much to do in Beijing. In addition to her relay disappointment, she failed to make the 400m final - won by team-mate Christine Ohuruogu.

"It's been a very hard and difficult season and I'm looking forward to some rest before planning how to come back stronger next year," she said.

"We came here having won bronze in the last two major championships, so we had to think that we had a chance.

"In the end we didn't quite have enough, it's disappointing but we can't dwell on it, we have to learn from it."

Britain's cause wasn't aided when Lee McConnell, an integral part of the quartet for the past six years, suffered a late hamstring injury.

Heptathlete Kelly Sotherton was drafted in as cover but on paper Britain was always going to find a podium place tough.

Britain ran a season's best 3.22.68 but they were more than four seconds slower than the USA, who took gold followed by Russia, Jamaica and Belarus.

"We're disappointed but it was always going to be an ask to get a medal against the three really strong teams who made the podium," she added.

"I think all the team were pretty exhausted after their individual events, in the end we didn't have the legs.

"Kelly did a great job but Lee's injury was devastating for her and was a major difference for us."

Sanders will now refocus her sights on next year's World Championships in Berlin, while the prospect of a home Games looms large on the horizon.

"Although I've been to quite a few major championships, this was my first Olympics," she said.

"I'm looking to having a good injury free winter and then comeback stronger next year."

MATTHEW DAVIS in Beijing