12th July 2011
European Youth Olympic Festival
12 July 2011
The British Olympic Association (BOA) has announced the athletes selected to represent Team GB at the 11th European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Trabzon, Turkey between 23-30 July.
Team GB will consist of 64 athletes from the six sports of athletics, cycling, gymnastics, judo, swimming and tennis.
The 2011 EYOF will see over 3000 athletes from 48 European countries assemble to compete in a total of nine sports: athletics, cycling, gymnastics, judo, swimming, tennis, basketball, handball and volleyball.
For all of Team GB’s competitors, aged between 13-17, this will be their first experience of a multi-sport environment and their first taste of Olympic competition.
Team GB Chef de Mission, Craig Hunter said:
“The European Youth Olympic Festival in Trabzon later this month is a fantastic opportunity for young athletes to experience high-level competition against Europe’s leading sport nations. It also offers these athletes a unique opportunity to participate in a multisport environment which is very much like the one they would experience at an Olympic Games.
“Many Team GB Olympians have already graduated from the EYOF to succeed at the Olympic Games. Rebecca Adlington attended 2003 EYOF and went on to win two gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, in the 400m and 800m freestyle swimming events. I am hopeful this trend will continue towards London 2012 and beyond.
“Team GB has finished in the top three in the medal table at the past three editions of the EYOF and I am certain that this year’s team will do us proud!”
James Taylor, Athletics (Stoke on Trent) said:
“This is the first step towards my dream of emulating my sporting idol, Colin Jackson, and competing for Team GB at an Olympic Games. In Trabzon I would love to reach the final, do the best for my country and if all goes to plan win a medal.”
Sophie Papps, Athletics (Bracknell) said:
“At the beginning of my season I didn’t imagine that I would be competing for Team GB at the European Youth Olympic Festival. I’ve had my best season to date and hopefully I can continue my form and produce my best on the day for Team GB. It will be an honour to compete for Team GB”
Team GB Athletics representatives:
Men:
100m
Leon Reid (James Hillier)
200m
Tom Holligan (Keith Ridley)
400m
Clovis Asong (Keith Hunter)
800m
Robert Needham (Trevor Muxlow)
1500m
James Lamswood (Andrew Railton)
3000m
Gordon Benson (Philip Townsend)
2000m S/C
Benedict Westhenry
110mH/100mH
James Taylor (Don Moss)
400mH
Jacob Paul (Marina Armstrong)
Pole Vault
Jack Phipps (Ian Tullett)
Long Jump
Elliot Safo (John Shepherd)
Discus
Benji Pearson (Stephen Pearson)
Hammer
Michael Painter (John Painter)
Javelin
Huw Bevan (David Parker)
Women:
100m
Sophie Papps (Neil Dodson)
200m
Dina Asher-Smith (John Blackie)
400m
Rachel Dickens (John Blackie)
800m
Abbie Hetherington (Frank Davidson)
1500m
Sophie Riches (Jeremy Freeman)
3000m
Alice Wright (David Walker)
2000m S/C
Halina Rees (Ron Morrison)
Shot
Danielle Opara
Discus
Shadine Duquemin (John Hillier)
Javelin
Carys Mansfield (Ralph Siggery)