Bus chase won him a spot in Olympics

A 23-year-old sprinter is on the edge of Britain's Olympic team after a talent scout spotted him running for a bus

A 23-year-old sprinter is on the edge of Britain's Olympic team after a talent scout spotted him running for a bus

Jeffrey Lawal Balogun (23) had no thoughts of an athletics career when he chased after the 28 bus in Bromley Kent to be on time for college four years ago.

But his natural pace was noticed by a coach from a local track and field club who happened to be walking along the street.

Happy Feet: Balogun hopes to compete at the London 2012 Olympics.

She approached Balogun and put him in touch with Clarence Callender, one of Britain's leading sprinting coaches.

With his help, the runner is now ranked sixth in the country over 60 metres and hopes to compete at the London 2012 Olympics.

"I always knew that I was fast, but I didn't really know how to get into running," said Balogun.

"Then one day I was on my way to college and had to run after the bus. I must have been quite fast because a girl came up to me afterwards and asked if I ran with a club," he recalled.

"The ultimate goal has to be the Olympics. To win a medal would be the best feeling ever. I just wish I'd started earlier."

Balogun, who now lives in Mottingham, South London, added, "I never thought running after a bus would lead to all this. And the funny thing is, I missed it."