St Mary’s student Andrew Osagie believes he let a first international medal slip through his fingers after finishing an agonising fourth in the 800m at the European Indoor Championships.

Showboating nearly cost the 23-year-old a semi-final spot but he bounced back in superb style, qualifying for the showpiece with the fastest time.

But he ultimately has nothing to show from his Parisian adventure as his time of 1:48.50 minutes was just 0.45 seconds shy of Spain’s Kevin Lopez in bronze.

And after tasting bitter disappointment in his first final wearing the Great Britain colours, Osagie admitted an opportunity to climb the podium at the first time of asking went begging.

“I guess when I look back I will be quite happy to make the first final in a GB vest but right now I am disappointed with the finish,” he said.

“There was a medal for me in that raced and right now it feels like a missed opportunity.

“I have been talking about missed opportunities for the last couple of months and that is exactly what has happened again.

“There were a couple of great guys in the race so I shouldn’t be too disheartened – but I just don’t like losing.”

It was a Polish one-two in the French capital with Adam Kszczot taking home gold in 1:47.87 minutes and European champion Marcin Lewandowski settling for silver.

And it is this brush with the best the continent has to offer that gives Osagie hope that this is only just the beginning of his international adventure.

“The first couple of laps I wanted to be on the shoulder of the leader but I couldn’t quite get there but I didn’t panic and I was pleased with the position I had,” he added.

“I thought I made a good move at the right time but it just wasn’t to be and like I said the other guys in the race are very good and I couldn’t quite get there.

“I need to take the positives from it though and I am competing with the best in Europe and the world – this is just the start of big things for me hopefully.”

* Aviva, supporting British athletes since 1999. To watch British athletes in action this summer at the Aviva Series call 08000 556 056 or go to www.aviva.co.uk/athletics for more information.