27 July 2012

World junior bronze medallist Emelia Gorecka, World junior finalist Desiree Henry and Junior European champion Adam Cotton joined Team GB Ambassadors the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry in the Torch Relay handover in the Palace grounds. 

Emelia and Desiree, who are currently on the UKA ‘Futures’ programme were competing in Barcelona last week when they heard the news, while Adam who is a former member of the UKA ‘Futures’ programme and is now on the WCPP was back at home after his first year studying abroad at Harvard University.

The trio were part of around 40 Team GB Ambition Programme athletes in total greeting the torch shown live on BBC and will also go on to experience parts of the London 2012 Olympic Games in preparation for 2016.

Hours after Adam posted on his Twitter, “Had one of the best experiences of my life today at Buckingham Palace, meeting the Royals, getting to chat to them and being on TV!”

Emelia also posted, “What an honour to talk to the Royals this evening! Will, Kate and Harry are lovely and Buckingham Palace is awe-inspiring. I’m a lucky girl!” on her Twitter account.

Members of the Queen’s Royal Household had also gathered to wave the torchbearer off and, after he left the Palace’s forecourt, 32 soldiers from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment escorted him up Constitution Hill to Hyde Park Corner.

‘Futures’ is a UKA programme which underpins the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) and supports athletes who show the potential to ultimately achieve a top eight place at the IAAF World Championships or Olympic Games and who have the potential to be selected to the WCPP within two years.

Re-watch the moment here: http://ow.ly/cxtbH