Leaps and bounds: Perri Shakes-Drayton is jumping for her Olympic dreams

Where is home? I live in Bow with my mum, brother and stepdad. It’s important to stay close to family

What’s your target for London 2012? I’d love to get a medal in any colour but that’s easier said than done. First I have to get to the finals.

You gave Will Smith a taster lesson in hurdling recently, how was that? I couldn’t stop smiling when he arrived; I grew up with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He wasn’t the best at the hurdles but he made it into a good dance.

Do you train to music? I have Destiny’s Child and funky house, R&B, hip-hop and old-school garage on my iPod. I listen to Drake for the lyrical content and Bucie for the beats. I don’t like silence.

What’s your worst habit during training? Checking my Twitter feed. I tweet at least three times a day.

Do you have any pre-match rituals? No. If I was superstitious, then anything could throw me off before a race.

What’s your pre-event meal? Spaghetti bolognese made with turkey mince. It’s great for slow-releasing energy.

What foods do you avoid? Vegetables. I only force myself to eat them because I know they’re good for me.

What is your favourite meal? A peppered steak with rice and plantain and a Guinness punch. Cakes — especially ginger cake. And Ambrosia custard.

What’s the first thing you do after training? Sit down until I’m ready to take a bath.

Where do you most enjoy training? Stellenbosch in South Africa. The weather helps me to get a lot more training done.

Do you have a sporting hero? No. I see other GB athletes do well and think to myself, ‘If they can do it, I can do it.’

What do you do to unwind? Go on holiday. I can’t get away between events, but once training season is over I love to go somewhere hot.

What charity work do you do? I’m an Elite Athlete Ambassador with McCain, so I go on roadshows to encourage youngsters to get involved in athletics.

If you weren’t an athlete, you’d be… Travelling the world as a model or a dancer.

After the Olympics, you’ll be… Going on holiday to Miami or Jamaica.

PERRI SHAKES-DRYATON

Nickname Shakesy
Sport 400m hurdles
Event starts 5 August
Location Olympic Stadium, Stratford
Training schedule Two hours a day, six days a week
Where Mile End Park Stadium
Trainer Chris Zah
Career high Winning gold in the 4x400m relay at the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul in March
Career low Missing out on selection for the Beijing Olympics in 2008

Perri Shakes-Drayton is working with McCain, the Principal Partner of UK Athletics, to promote healthy, active lifestyles (mccain.co.uk)

Styled by Orsolya Szabo
Fashion Assitant: Basma Khalifa
Hair and make-up by Naiyana Garth using MAC and Percy & Reed
Shot on location at Cutty Sark
(rmg.co.uk/cuttysark)