19 August 2010

Continuing Aldershot, Farnham & District’s impressive endurance record of late, World School Games champion Georgia Peel (coach: Mick Woods) was the only Team GB track and field athlete to progress through from qualification at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore today, finishing second.

Having run a confident race in hot conditions, Peel, the Aviva English Schools champion over 800m, clocked 2:45.78 for the 1km event to make it through to Monday’s A final as the second quickest qualifier overall.

"I was really pleased with that run but I know there’s more to come from me," she said. "I didn’t have a very good start at all and that affected me later in the race. If I can get a good start I’m sure I can challenge for a medal in the final."

There was disappointment for the other three Team GB representatives in action at the Bishan Stadium however.

Having stuttered badly at the half way stage of the 400mH, Abi Fitzpatrick (coach: Morris Condon) had to settle for a place in the B final (Monday) with 65.87, in spite of working hard to regain her stride pattern.

On the infield, hammer duo Andrew Elkins (coach: Dennis Elkins/Andrew Frampton) and Louisa James (coach: Ronald James ) also failed to qualify, the pair recording best marks of 65.86m and 49.94m respectively.

“The athletes now have a day off from the heat of the Stadium and return to competition on Saturday with three days of finals,” said Jo Jennings, UKA’s Athlete Development Manager and the Team Leader for athletics in Singapore.

“We have six Team GB athletes contesting A finals, which also means challenging for medals against their fellow Youth Olympians over the course of the final three days of the athletics programme,” she continued. “In addition, those athletes who failed to make the A finals have the have the bonus of a second chance to gain a good performance in their B finals.”

The Youth Olympic Games involves 3,600 athletes, aged 14-18, from over 200 nations from, 14-26 August. For more information visit www.singapore2010.sg

For more on Team GB check out the BOA website at: http://www.olympics.org.uk