ATHLETE Vicky Tunaley has landed a belated present after celebrating her 17th birthday earlier this month. Vicky, a 400 metres runner from Bramford, is East Anglia's only representative in the British team for the European Youth Olympics to be staged in Spain.

By Mel Henderson

mel.henderson@ecng.co.uk

ATHLETE Vicky Tunaley has landed a belated present after celebrating her 17th birthday earlier this month.

Vicky, a 400 metres runner from Bramford, is East Anglia's only

representative in the British team for the European Youth Olympics to be staged in Spain.

One of Ipswich Harriers' most

promising young talents, she said: "I was very surprised when I heard I had been selected.

"It's a big thrill, definitely the best thing that has happened to me since I started running."

The Claydon-Thurleston sixth former has never competed abroad before and admits she doesn't know what to expect in Murcia on July 22.

She said: "This is my first year at 400 metres and it has been going quite well, but I can't say how I'm going to do. The standard of opposition is obviously going to be very high.

"I have been pleasantly surprised at how it has gone this year. I seem to be more suited to this distance than 200 metres.

"I came third in the South of England Championships at Watford and I've got the English Schools Championships

coming up in Exeter.

"I've been to the schools event three times before, at 200 metres, and I was fourth in 1998."

Looking to the future, Vicky would

naturally love to go all the way and

represent her country at the Olympics.

But she added cautiously: "I really don't know if I can achieve that. It's a bit early at the moment. I just want to achieve as much as possible and be the best I can."

Vicky is quick to praise former coach Ron Jones and her current coach, Eddie Williams, for their part in her success so far.