'Town's' Olympic star set to shine

 

Gerald Phiri (pictured) was a popular student at Welshpool High School and still has many friends in the town who have celebrated their former classmate’s news that he ran 10.06 seconds in the 100m to qualify for Zambia, the country of his birth.

 

The 24 year-old was fondly remembered as being a talented athlete by his Welshpool friends who can now watch him line up alongside the world’s fastest men like Tyson Gay and Usain Bolt.

 

And far from just making up the numbers, Gerald, who has already impressed in the World Championships by reaching the semi finals, says he can upset the odds by bringing home a gold.

 

The Texas-based sprinter told the Mail in Zambia: “I just want to win a gold medal for myself and Zambia. I have been dreaming about the Olympics my whole life and this is an honour to represent the country at the biggest sporting event in the world.”

Gerald’s times will have to improve to eclipse favourite and record holder Bolt of Jamaica (9:58secs) and Gay of the US.

 

Originally born in Zambia, Gerald came to the UK at a young age and lived in Welshpool as well as South Yorkshire where his athletics career took off.

 

He ran the third fastest under-17 100m time in the UK (10.51 seconds) and represented the UK as a sprinter before switching to Zambia.

 

As well as his personal best of 10.06 in the 100m, he has covered the 200m in 20.29.