Great Britain's Adam Gemili (centre) in action with Jamaica's Yohann Blake (right) and Bahamas Derrick Atkins (left) in the Men's 100m semi final at the Olympic Stadium. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA

Teenage track star vows to continue his hard work all the way to Rio 2016

Barking & Dagenham College student Adam Gemili admits his thirst for competition on the world athletics stage has been quenched by his Olympic experience – but has promised London 2012 is just the beginning.

The 18-year-old bowed out of the fiercely competitive 100 metres competition in the semi-final, after clocking 10.06 seconds – finishing 0.04 seconds short of attaining a fastest loser spot in the final.

But Gemili, with his now-trademark smile as wide as a javelin, was philosophical about his debut-Olympic performance and has vowed to return to the track stronger than ever.

“For me it feels really, really good that I was able to come in here, do well and show what I can do,” he said.

“I feel there was more to come and I didn’t get to show it, but that wasn’t meant to be.

“But, to come third against two of the best sprinters in the world at the moment isn’t too bad.

“It has definitely given me a taste for more.

“I am going to go back to the drawing board and work hard with my coach (Michael Akilaka) and hopefully come out next year and run even quicker.

“I think I just need to keep doing what I’m doing.”

The 18-year-old former Dagenham & Redbridge defender decided to concentrate full time on his athletics career in January – a decision that paid dividends as he earned shock qualification for the Olympic Games in June.

And, after two months of talking, Gemili finally made it to the start line on Saturday morning for round one and was drawn in heat four against two-time World bronze medallist Asafa Powell.

But the teenage sprinter showed no sign of nerves as he stormed through to the semi-finals, finishing second in 10.11, to further enhance his reputation – seemingly growing day by day.

Progressing from Sunday’s semi-final was always likely to be a tall order though and so it proved.

Running alongside eventual silver medallist Yohan Blake and former World champion Tyson Gay, Gemili finished heat three in 10.06 – just 0.01 seconds off his personal best time that saw him become World Junior champion in July.

However, he fell short of the standard required for a final berth and watched from the stands as Jamaica’s Usain Bolt retained his Olympic title in stunning fashion.

But Gemili’s Games are far from over with the 4x100m relay set to kick-off on Friday.

And the Blackheath & Bromley Harriers sprinter took to Twitter to thank his new army of supporters and vowed to put on a show in the team sprint.

“You guys are amazing,” he tweeted. “Thank you all so much for your supportive tweets. Really had the best time of my life.

“Now let’s just smash this relay.”