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Two medals for Perri in European Championships

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Brunel Sport Sciences student Perri Shakes-Drayton took a huge step towards Olympic glory this summer when she bagged two medals at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona.

The 21-year-old sports scholar smashed her personal best in the final of the 400 metres hurdles to claim a bronze medal. Her time of 54.18s ranked her 6th in the world in 2010 and makes her a real London 2012 medal prospect.

But the hurdles medal were not her only success in the Catalan capital. Perri also anchored the GB 4x400 metres relay team to a bronze medal with a blistering leg of 49.7s, the second fastest in the race.

Speaking just before the start of term Perri reflected on the summer and her future prospects. “Going into Barcelona I wanted to make the final so I was amazed with the medal, but I’m not getting carried away,” she said. “I’m going to continue what I’ve been doing and put in the hard work over the winter.

"I aim to make the final of the World Championships [in Daegu, South Korea] next year, but I’m not planning for London 2012 just yet – let’s get 2011 out of the way first!”