Adam Gemili's whirlwind adventure is set to pick up pace as the Dartford teenager prepares to make his Olympic debut on Saturday.

The 18-year-old former Wentworth Primary and Dartford Grammar School pupil (pictured) was an unfamiliar name to all but athletics die-hards just three short months ago.

However, a series of astonishing performances have drawn the eyes of the world onto the footballer-turned-sprinter, who is Britain’s fastest man this year and second fastest in Europe.

Gemili ran a breakthrough time of 10.08secs for the 100m at the start of June and less than a month later, he followed it up by securing second-place behind Dwain Chambers at the British Olympic trials.

His aim when he decided to focus on sprinting at the turn of the year was the World Junior Championships in Barcelona three weeks ago and he reached a new high with a 10.05 burst to be crowned World Junior champion.

He said: "I have progressed so quickly and made the Olympic team. I’m ecstatic with it. I’m just trying to enjoy it.

"Just to line up against sprinters like Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake, I would feel so privileged. I will try not to be left behind them too much. It’ll just be good to get good experience – I am only 18, so hopefully I’ve still got a bit more time."

The preliminary round of the 100m starts at 10am on Saturday with the second round beginning at 12.30pm, the semi-finals at 7.45pm on Sunday and the final at 9.50pm that night.