AFTER narrowly missing out on a place in the Olympic 100m final, Dartford’s Adam Gemili has promised he will run faster next year.

The sprint ace, who lined up alongside superstars Yohan Blake and Tyson Gay in the semi-finals on Sunday evening (August 5), missed out on a final position by just 0.04 seconds, finishing tenth in the competition.

Finishing third in his semi-final, Gemili recorded a time of 10.06 seconds, just outside his personal best of 10.05 seconds, set at the World Junior Championships in July.

Although he is already hotly-tipped for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the 18-year-old says he will up his game as soon as next year.

The former Dartford Grammar and Wentworth Primary School pupil said: “It’s definitely given me a taste for more.

“I’m going to go back to the drawing board and work hard with my coach and hopefully come out next year and run even quicker.

“I think I need to keep doing what I'm doing - I've progressed a lot this year so next year I think I need to just keep working on little things and hopefully the times will drop down.”

The Blackheath and Bromley Harrier sprinter added: “For me it feels really good I was able to come in here and do well and show what I can do.

“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.”

Gemili received an ear-trembling reception from the 80,000-strong crowd inside Stratford’s Olympic Stadium as he was introduced ahead of his semi-final race.

He added: “The crowd really gee you up and give you a boost, I was feeling good and feeling relaxed and I just wanted to go out there and run.”

Gemili stormed through the first round of the 100m on Saturday (August 4), coming second in his race and recording an impressive time of 10.11 seconds.

Family members cheered the teenager on from inside the stadium, with Gemili’s mum Sacha and sister Elliya tweeting their support to him.

Footballer Rio Ferdinand was among celebrities to back him on the social networking website too, tweeting on Saturday (August 4): “Happy for this guy....young, raw and doing his thing nicely.”

His name was also a trending topic on the website on both days, meaning he was one of the most talked about subjects online.

A medal is still possible for Gemili, who competes in the men’s 4x100m relay later this week.

The first round is in Friday (August 10) at 7:45pm and the finals at 9pm on Saturday (August 11).