Tamsyn Lewis

Jim Wilson

Herald Sun - February 14, 2008 12:00am

NATIONAL champion Tamsyn Lewis is trying to add the 400m to her program for the Beijing Olympics.

Lewis said her career-best form had prompted the move to qualify in the 400m in addition to her pet event, the 800m.

The 29-year-old clocked 51.98sec in the 400m at the Victorian championships at the weekend and needs to post an A-qualifying mark of 51.55, and win the national title, to secure a spot for Beijing.

"It's something that is firmly on the radar and I know I have the ability to run the time as my PB is 51.51," Lewis said.

"I would want to do it over the next month and I have decided to run it in Melbourne (next Thursday's grand prix meeting at Olympic Park) and give it a real crack. I will need a number of A-qualifying times.

"The 800m is the priority but I love the 400m and it helps my eights.

"I am running better than ever and gone about my business quietly and with no fanfare. I am hungry and injury-free."