SEREN BUNDY-DAVIES has a star name to live up to. The Welsh name Seren, pronounced “Serr-an”, means “star”.
Rio is being selected as her stage for stardom and it would complete an amazing climb from bottom of the bill only four years ago.
We’re talking in Manchester, at a Starbucks not far from the university where she is doing a biomedical science degree. She’s Manchester-born - a Red not Blue, but her parents are Welsh and Wales peppers the conversation about her fledgling 400m career.
“Star. That’s something to live up to isn’t it?” she says.
“It’s a really nice name. I have three brothers and I think my mum and dad were waiting for a girl. There’s Reece, 25, Owen, 24 and my twin brother Lewis.
“Maybe it was a relief when they found out one was a girl!
“I’ve never met another Seren, probably because I’m not in Wales.”
But Seren’s making a name for herself. She has no background in athletics. Her dad Rob, says his mum could run a bit, but Seren was 17 before she ran fourth in the English Schools and coach Steve Ball took an interest.
Since then medals have come quicker than titles used to be won by Manchester United – five in the space of five months last year.
Seren Bundy-Davies (second from left): vital relay member
MARK SHEARMAN & BRITISH ATHLETICS/GETTY
“When I first got into athletics I didn’t really believe. I knew that I was decent, but I didn’t really believe I could get to the level I am at now,” she admits. “Now I’m starting to believe that I can do it.
“I’ve always compared myself to my brothers, playing football with my twin. I was surprised when I ran 51.72 indoors in Birmingham. I was still a bit naive. I would say ‘Is that good?’