TOM Lancashire aims to win a medal at the European Championships to put the misery of missing out on the Olympic Games behind him.

The 26-year-old failed to gain the qualifying time in Trafford on Tuesday night, which all-but rules out any hope of him competing in his second Olympics.

He has been picked to run for Great Britain at the Europeans in Helsinki when only sub-3mins 35.5secs qualifying times in both Saturday’s heats and Sunday’s final will earn him a place at London 2012.

The Bromley Cross man is not even contemplating such a tall order so soon after returning from a year out with injury and illness.

But he is looking to prove he is a force to be reckoned with by performing better than he has ever done before on the international stage.

On Tuesday night’s attempt to get the time with the help of pacemakers, when he won in 3:40:14, he said: “That’s pretty much it for the Olympics now. A really good performance at the Euros wouldn’t hurt, but it’s unlikely to be enough to gain selection, I think.

“I’m going to focus on the Europeans now and just try to race it.”