BEN Westhenry might be coming home from Turkey with more bumps and bruises than medals, but the Weymouth steeplechaser insists his European Youth Olympic Festival wasn’t a wasted trip.
The 16-year-old took to Trabzon’s Sogutlu Athletics Stadium hoping to stamp his authority on a European field for the first time in a GB vest, as he competed in the 2,000m steeplechase.
But the Weymouth St Paul’s Harriers starlet failed to threaten his personal best of 6:02.01 set back in May as he crossed the line eighth in 6:13.25, almost 20 seconds behind Spaniard Gonzalo Basconcelo in first.
However, after giving the race everything he had Westhenry believes he can leave Turkey with his head held high, and a few lessons learnt.
“I did my best, but it just wasn’t my day out there,” the soon-to-be Thomas Hardye School pupil said. “I’m capable of running the same time as the winner, but I didn’t have the best of races.
“I got hit on the chest at the beginning and got my number ripped off halfway round, so it was a very physical race.
“But it’s all good experience for me. I gave it my best shot and to think I’ve never really raced at this kind of level I’ve got to be pleased.
“I would’ve been gutted if I had done something wrong or if I had nearly won, but I can’t think of anything I did or didn’t do that made the difference, and the Spanish guy was way ahead of everyone.
“So all-in-all, I am a little disappointed with the end result but when I take everything into account, I will take the positives away and hopefully go on to bigger and better things.”
Despite Westhenry’s Turkish adventure now being over, the former All Saints School pupil still has a job to do to cheer on the 63 other Team GB athletes in Trabzon.
And it is a duty that he is taking very seriously, understanding the importance of team ethic in just a short time in his first GB vest.
“Although my race is over I know that that isn’t it for me and that I can still play my part in Great Britain’s success in Trabzon,” he said.
“What’s important now is that I support the rest of the team and help to make Team GB as successful as possible.
“Most of the other athletes still have plenty of competition so I will be there shouting them on.”
Lloyds TSB is a proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and official supporter of Team GB at the European Youth Olympic Festival. To find out more information visit lloydstsb.com/london2012
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