British 400m sprinter Seren Bundy-Davies admits watching her teammates storm to silver at the World Athletics Championships in London has motivated her even more to strive for her own success in the future.
The 22-year-old won relay gold at the European Championships in Amsterdam last year but her year has been hampered by an Achilles injury which she sustained at the start of the season.
But despite her set-back – which has been one of the biggest of her career – Bundy-Davies remains buoyed by the recent success of the 4x400m women’s relay team that claimed silver at London.
The British quartet of Zoey Clark, Laviai Nielsen, Eilidh Doyle and Emily Diamond were part of the Great Britain’s medal rush on the final weekend of the championships in the capital.
And despite having to sit out and watch her teammates win silverware, Bundy-Davies remains confident that she can step up to the challenge and emulate their success at next year’s European Championships.
“No medal is ever given to you. I know how hard those girls have worked to be at that level – I’ve been there myself – and I know how much hard work they’ve put into it,” said Trafford athlete Bundy-Davies, who won world relay bronze in 2015.
“It’s really exciting to know that when we come together we’re good enough to win a medal so that’s definitely an added inspiration.
“Being one of the young athletes in the relay team, it’s nice to look to the future and think, ‘If we’re achieving that now, four relay medals, hopefully we can maintain that for the next world championships.
“Seeing them run in front of a home crowd was really nice. It’s hard to watch when you want to be there but you do still feel part of the team even when you’re running and you’re not fit.
“It’s great to know that when we come together, we’re good enough to win a medal and with social media being so massive, you kind of still feel part of the team and I was able to wish them luck.”
Bundy-Davies said she also hoped to learn from Great Britain’s championship captain and three-time World medallist Doyle.
“I know Eilidh quite well and I was in touch with her about her individual race,” added Bundy-Davies, who took on the role of tail walker for last Saturday’s parkrun event in Stretford as part of UK Sport’s #teamparkrun initiative to allow elite athletes to say thank you to the public for their support.
“She’s been on every relay team I’ve been on and it’s really nice to have that kind of experience and just someone who’s been there so many times before to bring a calmness and an area of knowledge.
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Image courtesy of BritishAthleticsTV via YouTube, with thanks.
