Shelayna Oskan-Clarke finally believes she belongs on the world stage.

Hillingdon's Oskan-Clarke kept her cool in the supercharged atmosphere of the London Stadium to progress to the 800m semi-finals at the IAAF World Championships.

With only the top three qualifying from each heat, she paced the leaders and kicked down the straight to clock 2:01.30, meaning she progresses as the 14th quickest qualifier.

Oskan-Clarke, 27, will be joined in the next round by British team-mates Lynsey Sharp and Adelle Tracey, as well as Olympic champion Caster Semenya, but Maryna Arzamasova, Belarus' defending world champion, is out.

"When I first came to a major championships it was about experience and learning lessons and improving but now I'm looking at things differently," she said.

"I've done a few of these now and it's about getting into the final and getting yourself into contention.

"It was a bit of a scrappy race, I didn't get myself into a very good position but I did enough to get me into that semi-final.

"To have the crowd support and everyone in there willing you on, is just a great opportunity and I just want to do my country proud.”

Oskan-Clarke was fifth in the world final two years ago - setting a personal best in the process - and has won the last two national titles over the two lap distance.

But she finished tenth in the semi-finals of last year's Olympics in Rio, before rebounding to claim a first major medal - a silver at this year's European Indoor Championships in Belgrade.

"I think I'm fitter than I've ever been before, there's been a few niggles but nothing unusual," she added.

"I've put all the work in and the things I need to work on now are mental rather than physical.

"I just need to be more confident. In the past couple of months I have realised that I can be too critical and I'm really trying to work on my critical voice."

You can help the next generation of young British athletes by getting involved in SportsAid Week this September with London 2012 hero Greg Rutherford MBE.

Find out more about how you can support the week of fun and fundraising by visiting www.sportsaid.org.uk/sportsaidweek