LEE MERRIEN has received the perfect birthday present and will become an Olympian this summer after being selected for Team GB’s marathon trio for London 2012.

It’s been announced that Guernsey marathon runner Lee Merrien has been given a place in the British Olympics squad.

THE British selectors yesterday crushed the Olympic dreams of Lee Merrien and yet chose a man who’s personal best is more than two minutes slower than the Guernseyman’s.

A NEW island record may not be enough to win Lee Merrien a place at this summer’s Olympics.

IT’S do-or-die time for Lee Merrien tomorrow in London.

EIGHT days and counting. Next Sunday morning will be the two most important hours of runner Lee Merrien’s life.

STEVE CRAM believes that Lee Merrien should still be given an Olympic Games marathon place if possible, even if he fails to run the A-standard time next month.

GIAAC will be bolstered by Lee Merrien making his first county outing since winning the individual men’s title in 2008 when they travel to the New Forest for next week’s Hampshire County Cross-Country Championships.

LEE MERRIEN smashed the event record and Louise Perrio ran her quickest ever time for the full course by some distance in a high-quality Boxing Day Guernsey Open cross-country at L’Ancresse yesterday.

ANOTHER Kenyan adventure is helping Lee Merrien prepare for his assault on the Olympic A standard marathon time.