By Ben Baker

RAIN, sleet or snow couldn’t slow Orpinngton’s Geraldina Asher-Smith down this season, and she intends to deliver on her potential under the bright lights next week at the European Youth Olympic Festival.

The 15-year-old has been all-conquering so far this year, never finishing below the second step of the 200m podium, topping her fine season off with an English Schools gold earlier this month with a new personal best 24.38s.

This time not only put her third on the 2011 U17 rankings, but also booked her a seat on the plane to Turkey, ready to mix it with more than 3,000 athletes from 48 European countries.

And after being pounded by Mother Nature all winter, the Newstead Wood School for Girls pupil insists she will shake it off in style on the Black Sea coast.

“Last season I had no idea this competition was even going on but when I found out I was going to be going I was delighted and I am really looking forward to it,” said Blackheath & Bromley Harrier Asher-Smith.

“I have had a really good season so far so I am looking to run as fast as I can in Turkey and make the 200m final. That would just be amazing.”

She added: “I have been training really well of late so head their confident and I am looking to make my hard work count.

“I had to train in all sorts of weather over the winter whether that was rain, snow or strong winds, but this just means all my hard work was well worth it.

“Now I just want to top it all off with a good run in Turkey and fingers crossed I can do that.”

When Asher-Smith hits the track in Trabzon, she will do so wearing the Great Britain colours for the first time in her fledgling career.

And the former Perry Hall Primary School pupil is hoping the lion on her chest propels her to new heights, highlighting her past experiences as evidence for this claim.

“The big competitions seem to bring the best out of me and since the European Youth Olympics will be my biggest yet I hope it happens again,” she added.

“You saw that in Gateshead at the English Schools because at the time that was the biggest competition and I came away with gold and a new PB.

“This is hopefully the first time of many that I will represent Great Britain and I am hoping that spurs me on to a fast time.”

Lloyds TSB is a Proud Partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Official Supporter of Team GB on their journey to the European Youth Olympic Festival.

For more information, visit lloydstsb.com/london2012

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