Nesbitt selected as sole archer for Youth Olympic Games

 NORTHERN Ireland archer Mark Nesbitt is bidding to continue his rapid rise through the ranks this summer, having been named in Great Britain's squad for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore next month.

BULLSEYE: Mark Nesbitt, pictured in action at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival last January, will fly the archery flag solo in Singapore

The 18-year-old clinched double gold last January at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival and has received the nod to fly Great Britain's archery flag in Singapore as part of a 40-strong squad.

Nesbitt has already made his senior international debut at the European Championships in May, and he believes a successful outing in Singapore will see him take a big step closer towards London 2012.

"Being selected for Team GB for the Youth Olympics is wonderful and a great honour," he said.

"I shot really well this year and achieved some personal bests, I made the national senior team for the first time so it has been a fantastic year so far. I am really delighted to be going to the Youth Olympics and hope to continue my recent form.

"I see the Youth Olympic Games as a stepping stone to London 2012 and I imagine it will give me a real taste for the Olympic Games."

 Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games.  Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012 

National sports agency Sportsbeat and morethanthegames.com will be reporting from the Singapore and syndicating words and pictures to their network of regional and local newspapers across Great Britain.