Bakare hopes for success at European Junior Championships

The Luton athlete burst onto the scene in 2013 when she claimed a surprise 400m gold medal in the World Youth Championships in Donetsk.

However, Bakare, who was part of the silver medal-winning 4x400m team at the World Junior Championships in Eugene last year, admits she did not experience quite the same heights in the individual event in 2014 but is determined to return her best form this summer.

She said: ”The World Youths was amazing and I just hope I can replicate that (sort of performance) again.

“Last year was a different story. People didn’t put pressure on me but I think I put a bit of pressure on myself.

“I think I’ve learnt a lot from the last two major championships and this year I’m going in without putting any pressure on myself and be stress-free – I just want to run quickly again.”

This summer’s European Junior Championships take place in Eskilstuna in Sweden and in addition to her individual targets, Barake is also enthusiastic about been part of the team targeting the British junior 4x400m record this summer which currently stands at 3:30.36mins set in 2002.

Bakare has now adjusted to life at Loughborough University and with the National Performance Institute based on the University campus, she can access much needed support, which is aided by the British Athletics Futures Programme in 2014/2015 which provides targeted support for athletes and their coaches.

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