Mark Lewis-Francis is beginning to waver over his decision not to go to the Olympics, indicating that he might like to make the trip to Sydney. But irrespective of how fast the 17-year-old runs in the British trials in Birmingham this weekend, it will not be enough to force his way into the medal-chasing 4x100m relay team.

The latest teenage sensation to roll off Britain's production line of sprinters shot into the Olympic frame when he clocked 10.10 seconds to win the 100-metres B race at the Crystal Palace Grand Prix on Saturday, running faster than Canada's world silver medallist Bruny Surin.

Having maintained he was more interested in the world junior championships to be held in Santiago, Chile, a few weeks after the Olympics, Lewis-Francis showed signs yesterday of changing his mind.

"I've trained for the world juniors and I want to bring back two golds from there," he said. "But if I finish in the top three at the weekend I would love to go to the Olympics."

To guarantee his place in Sydney, Lewis-Francis must finish in the top two in the final at the Alexander Stadium on Saturday. Selectors can use their discretion to choose a third sprinter for the team. Lewis-Francis' time on Saturday was the fastest ever by someone so young and the third quickest in Europe this year, behind his compatriots Darren Campbell and Jason Gardener and ahead of last year's world bronze medallist Dwain Chambers.

These three athletes, together with the 200-metres runner Marlon Devonish, are expected to form Britain's relay team in Sydney, where they are strongly tipped to challenge the US for gold.