Phoebe Gill is looking forward to having a “ton of fun” in Paris, where she will represent Team GB in the 800m in her maiden Olympics.
At the age of 17, she will be the youngest British track athlete to compete in the Games in over 40 years.
Laura Muir, Tokyo 1500m silver medalist, lauded the child as a “amazing talent” after she won the recent British Championships.
And Gill shared her story with BBC Look East: “There were a lot of people in the media saying, ‘can she do it?’ ‘Will she be able to cope?’, and I’m so glad I did because it makes me feel I can cope with anything now.”
She ran a personal best of 1:57.86 in Belfast in May, breaking the European Under-18 record in the process.
She then beat Jamie Reekie for second place at the Manchester trials in 1:58.66. Reekie also finished second in the 800 metres at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
“I was so freaked up that whole weekend [in Belfast], I couldn’t wait to get it over with. “I was so focused on that start line; I was ready and buzzing with adrenaline,” said Gill, from St Albans, Hertfordshire.
When asked what she was expecting in Paris, she said, “A lot of fun. The hardest part is over. There is no anticipation. I’m 17 years old and this will be my first time wearing a GB vest; I can’t wait to experience everything.
“I’m starting young, so hopefully there’s a few [more] coming up.”
‘An amazing career ahead of her’
Team GB has a number of medal contenders in the athletics squad, which will fly to the French city before the Games begin on July 26.
Muir is one of them, having attended her first Olympics at the age of 23 in 2023.
She believes Gill is mature enough to handle the pressure in Paris.
In the run-up to her personal British record performance at the weekend Paris Diamond League meeting, she told BBC Look East: “I’ve been really impressed. It takes a lot to be in the spotlight, especially during an Olympic year.
“She’s so young, and we hope she has a fantastic future ahead of her, but it’s so difficult at that age to have that burden on you. I really hope she loves the Games, and if she does, I am confident she will perform admirably.
“The 800m can be run in a variety of ways. It’s really unpredictable, which makes it both tough and interesting to watch.
