HATTI Archer says nothing will make up for the career-defining moment she believes robbed her of a place on the biggest stage in athletics.

The 35-year-old steeplechaser, from Radley – who competed under her maiden name of Dean – finished fourth in the 2010 European Championships in Barcelona.

She was upgraded to bronze in 2015 when runner-up Martha Dominguez was found guilty of doping, but never received a medal.

And this year, when Russian Lyubov Kharlamova, who initially finished third, was also disqualified for the same offence, Archer was promoted again to silver.

However, she has still yet to receive her medal – until now.

The Oxford Mail has been in regular contact with British Athletics, and has received confirmation that a new silver medal will be produced for Archer, and presented some time soon.

The former Radley AC athlete is thrilled, but feels cheated that she was denied her big moment in the limelight seven years ago, and pointed to missing out on a top-three place as a moment that changed her life.

“You can’t make up for the damage it did to my career,” she said.

“I am still very upset that I was not able to compete as a European medallist. I was cheated of that.

“That would have been such a massive confidence boost for me going forward.”

She added: “Finishing fourth was both brilliant and disappointing at the same time, but I was desperate to try to make the extra step and compete with those at the top and try to win medals.

“I felt I needed to train ever harder, push myself to the limit – and that resulted in a number of injuries.”

Archer struggled to recapture her best form after a series of problems, and agonisingly missed out on a place at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Despite finishing second in the Great Britain trials, she was overlooked for selection and described herself as ‘devastated’ when her appeal to compete for her country was rejected.

“It doesn’t get much bigger than the Olympics in London,” she said.

“I over-trained in 2011 trying to find that extra improvement, and those injury problems I picked up hindered me in 2012.

“It really did have a massive impact on me.”

Although finally receiving the silver medal will provide some consolation, Archer says nothing can stop the hurt she still feels.

“It will obviously be great to receive it now, but the difference it would have made in 2010 to my career is massive,” she added.

“I don’t really feel that I am a medallist, despite everything that’s happened. Maybe actually getting the medal will help me get over that.”

A statement from British Athletics said: “We are working with Hatti to identify the best opportunity to present her medal to her in order to allow her to experience the moment she missed in Barcelona.”