Croydon Harrier Lawrence Okoye has turned his back on lucrative offers to commit his future to the quest for Olympic glory.

The 20-year-old finished last in the discus final at London 2012, and rumours suggested he would drop the discipline in favour of a return to his first love of rugby.

However, the former London Irish player has decided he has "unfinished business" with the discus.

So committed is Okoye he also turned down invitations from NFL clubs in America as well as a place at Oxford University to study law. 

He said: "I'm going to carry on throwing full-time, definitely for another year, and I think for much longer than that. For me there's unfinished business.

"I've succeeded at everything I've done in life. I can't leave the sport having not done what I came in it to do.

"I see myself being world record holder and Olympic and world champion. It's just going to take a bit of time. I think another year and I'll be ready."

He added: "The possibility of going to American football was tempting. And having another crack at rugby appealed. I do miss it and the opportunity is there.

"I just think it would be very silly to be ranked fifth in the world for discus at the age of 20 and not carry on.

"I didn't do myself justice finishing 12th in London - inexperience cost me.

"But that motivates me going forward towards Rio in 2016. As I say, I have unfinished business."