Athletics: Steph Twell wins European Athletics Rising Star 2008

September 22, 2024

Middle distance runner Steph Twell has been named Waterford Crystal European Athletics Rising Star 2008.

Twell truly is a name to watch in women’s sport. The 19 year old had a great year that began with her retaining her SPAR European Cross Country Championships junior women’s title in December - the first time any athlete has ever done this.

“That was incredible. To just win one title was fantastic, to defend it and go into the history books is something that seems like a dream,” said Twell after coming home nine seconds clear of her nearest rival. Not turning 20 until next August, she is still young enough to be able to attempt a triple crown at this year’s Championships in the Belgian capital of Brussels on December 14.

She then went on to win the IAAF World Junior Championships 1,500m gold medal in July and competed in her first Olympic Games in Beijing.

“I can now go out and be a great senior athlete because of what I learned here (in Bydgoszcz, Poland). I came away from here learning a lot, how to race more tactically, be strong at racing and just don’t be dictated to by the Africans, but just to show them that I am here to ruffle a few feathers too,” explained Twell after her 1,500m win.

In Beijing Twell ran 4:06.68 to finish sixth in her heat, just missing out on a place in the final.

“This is a whole life package. I live this sport, breathe it, dream it. The plan is to run 1,500m or 5,000m in London, the 5,000m in 2016 and then I’d love to step up to the marathon in 2020,” added Twell recently, setting out her long-term ambitions.

Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Read our interview with Steph Twell here: Sportsister meets Steph Twell

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