HEAD TO HEAD Perri Shakes-Drayton - Hurdler
everyone’s expectation, that’s aside from the fact that the Olympics have been an aim of mine from the time that it was announced that they were coming to London.
And was that raise in expectations a good or bad thing? Honesty, the rise in expectations was tough as all you really want to do is focus on your training and racing. But then I was very lucky to have experienced a home Olympic Games, lots never do, and having that to aim for really helped through the tough winter months of training in the lead up to them.
Is it at all difficult seeing the success other athletes have had since 2012? No, not at all. Seeing others succeed is great, but I will always have that internal drive to achieve inside myself. If anything, I see it as a positive, as it’s only added to my own determination as I progress on from 2012.
As a local girl, how much of the legacy of the Games can you see around you? It’s great to see a lot of younger kids joining the local clubs and getting involved with Track and Field. The Games did a great job of creating role models for the locals and I hope there is plenty more to come.
Is it just on the track, or the area as a whole? There’s some absolutely fantastic developments going on in the area and nearby – there are parts I barely recognise from what it was seven years ago. East London has definitely gotten a bit of a face lift!
Has anything changed that you miss? My old housing block has been knocked down! I grew up there and it was sad to see it go.
How much of it goes beyond the East End and London to the rest of the UK? Personally, it’s tough to say, but from what I can see the impact has only been positive. The great thing about the Games was that the whole nation embraced it and hopefully that continues and the whole nation will benefit from the legacy, not just the East End, and not just London.
As an experienced athlete do you still get excited when you get sent new kit? Yes, of course I do! The innovation at Nike is
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to see a lot of younger kids joining the local clubs and getting involved with Track and Field. The Games did a great job of creating role models for your locals
It’s great
great on the track and the new NSW (Nike Sportswear premium apparel) mean I can kit myself out in new kit all day long – which is obviously fantastic. Who doesn’t like opening new clothes and trying them on?!
What are your favourite pieces at the moment? Kicks, Nike Flyknit, Air Max 1s, Sky Hi Dunks. I love them all.
What are the main aims on your horizon - World Championships? Commonwealth Games?
Definitely the World Championships! That’s where all my focus is going at the moment.
Can you tell us something about yourself people would be surprised to hear? As I was growing up I actually didn’t aspire to be an athlete as such, it just kind of happened!
Thanks very much Perri, and good luck for the rest of the season. Thanks, bye!
✤ Career highlight? Double Gold and Euro Indoors ✤ Last time you were star struck? Beyonce ✤ Word/phrase you most overuse? “Innit” ✤ Sports team/s you support? GB Athletics of course! ✤ Last piece of music you bought? Justin Timberlake, 20/20 ✤ Favourite crisp flavour? Prawn Cocktail ✤ It’s our round, what are you drinking? Virgin Pina Colada, thanks for the drink
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