516. Personal Best

Such was the avalanche of medals for Britain at this year's Olympic Games it is easy to forget the many many athletes who have trained for years but did not even make it to their home games.

And what we forget is that even if they are lucky enough to have a sponsor and manage to reach a world class peak just a slip on a practice run can end a dream.

Sam Blair's Personal Best was filmed as a lead up to the London Olympics and followed three hopefuls and one who is just starting out on the potential road to glory.

Sprinter Jeannette Kwakye is the most famous of the subjects - having made an Olympic final in Beijing.

Unfortunately, less than a year later, she fell on a hill near her home and in her words her knee was 'written off'.

She has huge determination to fight back, however.

Meanwhile, 200-metre runner James Ellington became famous for putting himself up for sponsorship on Ebay.

His problem has been trying to finance his athletics at the same time as bringing up a baby son.

Richard Alleyne had high hopes of becoming one of the world's top 110-metre hurdlers but a hip injury meant an operation which put his career on hold.

Blair follows the trio through the infrequent highs and more regular lows of training and competition.

It sees them in action at key meetings - often windswept and sparsely populated - as they try to qualify for the big time.

This fly-on-the-wall style documentary gets right under the skin of the athletes without being intrusive.

I have spent the summer admiring the dedication of those who have won medals. Now I realise I should also be doffing my cap in the direction of all of those who have given their very best in their quest to be the fastest  in a world where hundredths of a second mean the difference between success and failure.

Personal Best highlights the effect on the mind as well as the limbs of trying to be the best in the world. 

It was briefly at the cinema in June but is now out on DVD.

Laughs: none

Jumps: only over the hurdles

Vomit: none

Nudity: none

Overall rating: 7/10