12 athletes join Ohuruogu junior in Youth Olympics squad

By Sportsbeat staff

 VICTORIA Ohuruogu might be the household surname in the 13-strong Great Britain athletics team named for the first-ever Youth Olympic Games - but she's not the only one eyeing a medal.

SISTER ACT: Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu will support sister Vicky, who has been named in the British team for the Youth Olympics (Getty Images)

 Ohuruogu will compete over 400m - the same event in which her older sister Christine is the reigning Olympic champion.

She will be joined in Singapore by rising star sprinter David Bolarinwa - who won gold and silver in the 100m and 200m at the European Youth Olympic Trials in Moscow - and Charlie Grice, who claimed the 1500m title at this weekend's Aviva English Schools' Championship in Birmingham.

Zak Seddon, another weekend winner at the Alexander Stadium, where he also set a 4:13.66 championship record in the 1500m steeplechase, has his anticipated selection confirmed by the British Olympic Association.

"I am thrilled to be selected to Team GB for the Youth Olympic Games," said Ohuruogu. 

"Competing against athletes from all over the world in an Olympic setting is a hugely exciting prospect and I am sure I will gain a great deal from the experience, on and off the track. I am fully focused on preparing well over the coming weeks and aim to achieve my full potential for Team GB in Singapore."

Annie Tagoe, who won both the 100m and 200m at the England Under-17 Championships in Bedford last year, and English intermediate 1500m record holder Georgia Peel, a training partner of Steph Twell, also feature in the squad.

Several of the Singapore-bound team - including hammer thrower Andrew Elkins, sprint hurdler Themba Luhana and pole vaulter Katie Byres - competed in last year's European Youth Olympic Festival in Tampere.

400m hurdler Abi Fitzpatrick, hammer thrower Louisa James and shot putter Sophie McKinna complete the squad, the largest sent by any British sport to the inaugural Games.

McKinna - who is coached by under-fire former double Commonwealth champion Geoff Capes - won bronze at the European qualifying event in Moscow, throwing a 14.66 metre personal best in the process.

"Words can't describe how I feel. It's an amazing opportunity," she said.

"All the top throwers from around the world will be there to compete and they've set it up like the full Olympics.

"There's a flame and an opening ceremony so it should be a breathtaking experience."

GREAT BRITAIN ATHLETICS TEAMS FOR THE YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES, SINGAPORE

Abi Fitzpatrick (400m hurdles), Andrew Elkins (hammer), Annie Tagoe (100m), Charlie Grice (1000m), David Bolarinwa (100m), Freya Jones (javelin), Georgia Peel (1000m), Katie Byres (pole vault), Louisa James (hammer), Sophie McKinna (shot), Themba Luhana (110m hurdles), Victoria Ohuruogu (400m), Zak Seddon (2000m steeplechase)

 

 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.