5 June 2009

Four of Britain’s most promising athletes have set their sights on European glory this summer after being invited by UK Athletics to join their Original Source-funded Heroes scheme.

High jumper Alan McKie, middle-distance runner Laura Weightman, hurdler Niall Flannery and 3,000m runner Abdirisak Ahmed will all receive two £500 bursaries towards kit, travel expenses, medical support and equipment during the summer.

And the quartet will all be looking to repay part of that investment by making their mark on the international stage.

Newcastle’s Flannery already came close to tasting success after an agonising fourth-place finish at European Youth Olympic Festival two years ago but insists that painful experience will drive him to further glory at the European Junior Championship.

He said: “Hopefully I will get to the final and then see where things take me from there. Doing the European Youth Olympics was a great experience and I know what to expect from big competitions now.

“I was fourth and I want to try to better it. If I get a medal then I would be chuffed but I will keep my feet on the ground and get my head into the right way of racing.”