Phoebe Gill: Britain’s teenage sensation staking her claim for Paris 2024

At just 17, Phoebe Gill is touted as the next big thing for Team GB athletics.

Earlier this month, she crossed the finish line of an 800m race - held at the Belfast Irish Milers Meet - in a time of one minute 57.86 seconds.

Her race-winning display saw her break the record for a U18 athlete in this discipline, which was set 45 years ago by Germany’s Marion Geissler-Hübner (1:59.65).

In doing so, she has firmly put her name into the mix for Paris 2024.

It is not the first time the teen has broken a record, either.

At the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, she stormed to victory in the 800m final with a PB of 2:02.30.

It set a new Youth Games record and was the fastest time run by a U17 British athlete since 1977.

There are plenty of Brits still in contention, though, but regardless of whether it’s Paris 2024 or a different Olympic Games, Gill seems to be on a path to the top.

Phoebe Gill on the best advice she has received

As a young athlete, advice is heard from all different directions.

From coaches to family to role models, everyone wants to see budding prospects succeed.

But for Gill, the best piece of advice she has ever received came from her coach, Deborah Steer.

“She told me that I am a young athlete and that I have got my entire journey in front of me,” she revealed to Team England.

“It means I am allowed to struggle and I am allowed to have highs and lows because, at the end of the day, every single competition I do is just a training race for the bigger events when I am older.”

Steer has had a big hand in the development of Gill, with the youngster valuing the way her coach helps her approach events.

"Deborah is just extremely motivating and has always motivated me to stick with the sport,” added Gill.

"It is extremely important to have someone to encourage you and to motivate you because a lot of parents don't have that background knowledge in sport.”

Inspired by Dina Asher-Smith

Like many budding English athletes, Gill is inspired by the resilient Dina Asher-Smith.

The 28-year-old has been a cornerstone of British athletics since breaking onto the youth scene in 2011, winning gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

"I have always looked up to Dina because she has been through a lot on her sporting journey,” Gill said.

"So to watch her go through each race and her struggles helps me realise that it is never going to be easy but that you just have to push through that.”

It may be an outside chance for the teen now, but perhaps she could compete with her hero for Team GB this summer.