DANNY Talbot booked his place at the Rio Olympics with a top-two finish in the 200m final at the British Athletics Championships this afternoon.

The Trowbridge sprinter came home in 20.46secs at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, missing out on the national title by just 0.02secs to Adam Gemili.

Reece Prescod came home third with Zharnel Hughes, who finished fifth at last year’s World Championships in Beijing, finishing outside the medals.

Both Gemili and Talbot ran inside the Olympic qualifying time set by British Athletics so the former St Augustine’s pupil will return to Wiltshire safe in the knowledge that his spot at a second Olympics is secure.

Talbot, 25, was a member of the Team GB 4x100m relay squad at London 2012, meaning Rio will give him his first opportunity to race at a Games in an individual event.

“I am so happy. It is difficult to come to the British Championships - it’s a strange situation when the top two qualify,” said Talbot.

“I am equally as happy to come second, the job is done now and it’s time to work towards Rio.

“I have been really nervous all week, there has been a bit of anxiety and I haven’t been sleeping good.

“I wasn’t really too sure how it was going to go, my legs didn’t feel too good in the heat. I’ll have a couple days off and then back to the hard work Thursday or Friday.”

Talbot had earlier qualified second fastest for the final from the afternoon’s heats after clocking 20.74secs to win the third and final heat, with his time only beaten by Gemili, who won heat one in 20.60secs.