By David Martin, PA Sport

Long jumper Jade Johnson may not have achieved the World Championships qualifying 'A' standard - but UK Athletics supremo Max Jones is tipping her f a medal in Paris.

The 6ft 1in south Londoner, has a best of 6.73 metres, seven centimetres short of the required mark - but that was good enough to win a silver medal when outjumping some world class opponents in last summer's European Championships.

Her performance in Munich came only a couple of weeks after finishing runner-up at the Commonwealth Games.

"Jade's one of those athletes who thrives when competing in championships as her record last year shows," said Jones, after announcing her Paris selection with only the 'B' qualifying standard.

Ironically, if Johnson listened to the doctors, she would be avoiding the long jump. She is allergic to sand and every now and then she breaks out in a rash.

But there is no fear of the sandpit or her rivals when any competition gets under way. Then rock solid determination becomes a key factor.

It was that attribute which saw Johnson win Britain's first European long jump medal since the legendary Mary Rand took the bronze medal 42 years earlier.

"I still feel like I'm very, vry, young at what I do," said Johnson, who as a seven-year-old could take take on and match the boys in sprint races at school. I feel as if I'mlearning every year."

That factor saw the selectors name her in the Great Britain team when the first wave of the side was announced last month.

Every day sees a new learning curve. "I'm already physically strong, but the most important thing in track and field is to get your mind right," said the loyal Herne Hill Harrier.

"That is the big part of being a world class athlete and it's something I've had to work on."

Not having the 'A' qualifying mark does not bother Johnson. At the Madrid Super Grand Prix where she produced a season's-best 6.69m for second place, but believes only a foot fault prevented her hitting the mark.

"Two of my no-jumps were both well over 6.75m and my foot was just over the board," said Johnson. "It's just a matter of time before it comes.

"Every year I find I need five competitions or so before I start jumping consistently."

She added: "I believe I have been able to jump seven metres for a long time. People are always saying to me that I am capable of it."

Echoing Jones' belief that she is a championship performer, Johnson said: "I don't really concentrate on distance anymore. I was getting this big hang-up about it.

"I could jump seven metres every year and not ever get a medal in a major championship - and I'd rather have a medal than seven metres."