By David Martin, PA Sport

Olympic 200metres silver medallist Darren Campbell possesses so much self-belief, when he says he is going to do something, you have to believe him.

Opening his summer campaign in the Mexico Grand Prix at the beginning of May, Campbell was adamant it was his intention to double up in this year's World Championships.

"I want to run both the 100 and 200 metres and I think I can get a medal in both," said Campbell, claiming his winter training in the United States had been his best ever.

"Getting into the team isn't going to be easy," admitted the 2002 Commonwealth 200m bronze medallist. "But things have been going so well for me.

"I have to be realistic about my chances. But honestly, I think I can run sub-10 and sub-20 seconds for the distances."

Campbell was an absentee from the World Championships two years ago when a hamstring injury ruined his season.

In last month's British trials, Campbell's wishes came true when he placed second to European champion Dwain Chambers and qualified by right for the 100m.

The next day, with five tough races in his weary legs, Campbell finished a worn-out third over 200m in a glorious race claimed by surprise winner Julian Golding ahead of Christian Malcolm.

But only 0.01 seconds behind Campbell was Marlon Devonish, the world indoor champion and winner of Commonwealth and European silver and bronze medals respectively in 2002.

There was an anxious wait of almost 48 hours before the official team announcement.

As good as Devonish's record is - and his omission emphasises the strength of British sprinting - it did not stand comparison with Campbell's.

Campbell, 29, first showed he would be a sprinting force in the future when he won the 1991 European junior 100m and 200m titles and he is the only Briton doubling up in Paris.

The Sale Harrier is certain he is not taking on too much, even though he may have to run eight races to claim both titles - and that is before the 4x100m relay.

"I'm a championship runner," said Campbell. "I know what people will be expecting of me and I known what I have to produce.

"At the beginning of the season, I said what I felt I could achieve. Things have just got better and better for me in almost every race.

"Now I have the opportunity to fulfil what forecast I wanted to do."