Phe Phe Pye, a 17-year-old pupil at Dauntsey’s has achieved two remarkable successes in European and World athletics

Dauntsey’s student Ophelia (Phe Phe) Pye, 17, shone over the summer as part of the under 18s athletics team at the European Championships, becoming European 400 metre hurdles champion, with a national record time of 58.06 seconds. Then, at the World Under 20 Athletics Championships, she was part of the bronze-medal winning 4 x 400 metres relay team.

Phe Phe has one more year left at Dauntsey’s and will be working through the winter with her athletics coach, ex-Olympic champion David Hemery, in preparation for next season. She joined Dauntsey’s in Wiltshire aged 11 and is a multi-talented athlete. In recent years she has focused on 400 metre hurdling. David Hemery says: “It has been a pleasure and privilege to have been invited to coach at Dauntsey’s. Phe Phe has always had good natural running ability, but many athletes have that and never move on to fulfil their potential. She learns fast, is willing to train hard and improves under competitive pressure, a great combination”.

Marcus Olsen, Director of Sport, Dauntsey’s, says: “Phe Phe is an exceptionally talented and determined young lady and I have enjoyed watching her progress during her time at Dauntsey’s.  Being able to work with an Olympic Champion in David Hemery on a new track here has seen her continue to improve. She is a modest and humble girl and a great role model for our younger athletes. We are all extremely proud of her and were delighted to witness her success over the summer”.

Photo: Marta Gorczynska

Dauntsey’s dauntseys.org

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