Joy for 'new Radcliffe' Twell and sprinter Edgar following Beijing call-up

There had been fears that one of Britain's brightest track hopes would be left out of the squad.

But the 18-year-old was chosen for Team GB on Saturday having run a personal best of 4 min 5.83 sec at the Golden League in Paris the night before.

Twell, who was crowned world junior champion in Bydgoszcz last week and is one of the outstanding prospects for the 2012 Games in London, heard the news of her selection at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Twell: Her Olympic dream is realised

She said: 'It took my breath away just to hear the words. It was so special, something that I will cherish forever.'

The Farnborough-born athlete, who is a student at St Mary's University, Twickenham, cites world record holder for the marathon Paula Radcliffe as her inspiration.

She said: 'She is one of my ultimate role models. She always wishes me the best and congratulates me on my performances. I like to think of it positively and it's an honour to be mentioned and likened to Paula.'

Twell was one of the most notable omissions from the athletics squad when the first wave of selections was announced last Monday.

Another absentee from that list was Dwain Chambers but there was no way back for the disgraced sprinter after he lost his High Court bid to overturn a lifetime ban from the Olympics on Friday.

With Chambers out, Tyrone Edgar, who finished fourth in the Olympic trials in Birmingham, has been added to the squad.

Edgar: Off to Beijing

Simeon Williamson and Craig Pickering are the other British 100m runners heading to Beijing.

Edgar said: 'This has been one of the strangest weeks of my life and I don't ever want another one like it. I was really disappointed at the trials, but I remained hopeful throughout the week I would get selected for the individual 100m.

'Now I have a big smile on my face, the Olympics is the biggest sporting event in the world and I'm really excited to be part of it.'

Edgar, who won the 100m at last month's European Cup in Annecy, France, said Chambers's legal challenge detracted from the rest of the team.

'I'm just thankful the court case is over and grateful for the opportunity,' he said.

'I've been getting a bit irritated with all the questions about it, but now I just want to forget about it and look forward to Beijing.'

Meanwhile, Chambers has not ruled out a return to the Olympic arena for the London Games, a prospect that would be opposed by 2012 leader Sebastian Coe.

'I just want to compete,' Chambers said. 'I'm a born runner, I'm here to run and I just want to do the best I can and show what I really can do as a clean athlete.'

Asked about competing in the 2012 Olympics, he said: 'Participation first and foremost is a key thing for me. And then if I get a medal out of it, that'll be great. Then I'll be done.'