Bedford holds key to Persent's Euro dreams

By Jon Ireland, Sportsbeat

LOUIS Persent is dreaming of the world stage - and knows the importance of this weekend's trials in Bedford.

DREAMING BIG: If Louis Persent's dreams of starring in Ostrava at the European Under-23 Championships is to become a reality, then he knows a big result this weekend in Bedford is needed

The Championships will act as a trial for this summer's European Under-23 Championships in Ostrava, and Persent knows booking his place would act as the perfect stepping stone into senior athletics.

The 20-year-old, whose season has been disrupted by injuries and university exams, is just six hundredths off the 400m qualifying time of 46.50 seconds for the Europeans but he also needs to win the trials to guarantee a seat on the plane.

After finishing last year as British number three in the under-23s, Persent has made a slow start to the season and will have to step it up to catch in-form duo Luke Lennon-Ford and Nigel Levine.

"The England U23 Championships are a great opportunity for me to see my current level because I really don't know what shape I'm in," said Persent.

"Because I've had injuries and been busy with university work, it's been impossible for me to train properly and take part in races.

"I will need to improve my personal best (46.56) and I'm confident I can do it to make it to Ostrava, where I would love to go on and win a medal.

"There is still a lot of depth in my age group and the 400m is very strong in the UK, but it's been like that for a few years.

 "Representing Great Britain is massive. I saw people on TV when I was younger wearing GB shirts and I aspired to that.

"It's not about recognition but competing internationally, which is what Ostrava would be - it's a passport to a different level of athletics.

"It would be a dream to compete at London but it's not really realistic. I hope to be competing on the world stage at some point in the next five years, but I'm still young and happy to be patient."

Persent kicked off his outdoor season with a disappointing run at the Bedford International Games on June 12 where he came home in 48.44 seconds.

But despite a low-key outdoor bow, Persent is relishing the opportunity to make the transition to senior level.

"The U23s is an awkward age group because you have lots of people who have already made the step up, so you're not actually competing against the best people in the age group.

"I'm sure I have what it takes to improve. Injuries have never allowed me to improve and my personal best just hasn't got better because I haven't been able to race.

"And now I've finished university I'll be able to train properly and meet up with my coach three or four times a week - so I'll be able to find out what I can really do."

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