Teenage sprinter has sights set on 2028 Olympics

Stan Chevous, 17, is dreaming of representing Team GB in Los Angeles

One of the fastest teenage 400m runners in the country said he felt "really proud" to race for Team GB and was focussed on the next Olympic Games.

Stan Chevous, 17, from Ipswich, first started sprinting after playing football and noticing he was much faster than his opponents.

Since turning his attention to the track and joining the Ipswich Harriers at the age of 11, he has represented England in the 400m at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

More recently he was crowned the under 20s 400m champion at the Indoor National Championships and competed for Team GB at the Mannheim International in Germany.

"It wasn’t a major championships but it was like a taster for what I am going to do later down the line in my career and it was just brilliant and I was really proud," he said.

Given he is still a student, Stan is currently trying to strike the perfect balance between going for gold and simply being a teenager.

"I go to parties for the social side of things but I don’t drink or indulge, I just don’t do the things I know will hinder my training – it’s all about balance for me," he said.

"My sixth form lets me train in my free periods and then I can do work after school so I can maintain that healthy part of my life."

Stan Chevous (far right) said he felt "proud" when he was asked to represent Team GB at an event in Germany

Stan is following in the footsteps of his father Tom, grandfather Andy and great-grandfather Stanley, all of whom trained with the Ipswich Harriers.

He said: "The first time I ever stepped on the track I remember coming off and telling my dad that I loved it and wanted to do it forever.

"And then when I was 12 or 13, I was just enjoying the sport and enjoying trying to better myself but as I’ve got older my motivation has changed.

"Now it’s also about me seeing new places around the world with people I like but I still have a massive love for the sport."

Stan, who has a personal best of 47.51s over the 400m distance, now has his sights set on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

He said: "That’s the game plan and I think that is doable at the rate I’m progressing and I believe anything is possible.

"But another big thing next year would be to be selected to compete for Team GB in the under 20s European Championships – I believe I could do that."