6:00PM, Thu Jul 5, 2012

Distance Runner Stacey Smith On Funding And Her Future In The Sport

By James Craggs Location: Chester-le-Street

Video: Running for money: Stacey's cash conundrum

Distance runner Stacey Smith says she will not give up on her future as a professional athlete even if she loses her UK Athletics funding.

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Stacey runs both 800m and 1500m and is in her first year as a full-time athlete.

She was in contention for a place in the Team GB Olympic squad for this summer’s games but suffered a stress fracture of her spine and had to give up on competing in London.

Video: Stacey Smith on the Olympic selection process

Stacey receives funding based on qualifying for major championships and when the new funding is announced in November she says she hopes to be included in the list.

But, even if she loses her money, she is determined to remain a full-time athlete.

Stacey is now set on returning to full fitness and competing in the World Championships next year in Moscow and further in the future hopes to feature in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.