Team GB's European Youth Olympic Festival team named

By Sportsbeat staff

GREAT BRITAIN'S new wave of potential future Olympians were revealed as the British Olympic Association prepares to tackle the 11th European Youth Olympic Festival in Trabzon.

 
HIGH HOPES: Team GB Chef de Mission Craig Hunter is looking to continue Great Britain's proud tradition at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Turkey

A 64-strong squad has been chosen to contest six sports in Turkey between July 23-30, taking part in athletics, cycling, gymnastics, judo, swimming and tennis.

More than 3000 athletes, aged 13-17, from 48 European countries will assemble for the event with this their first experience of a multi-sport environment and their first taste of Olympic competition.

Team GB Chef de Mission is Craig Hunter, who held the same job for England during October's Commonwealth Games, and he is keeping his fingers crossed that they unearth some more hidden gems as they look to continue their proud tradition in the competition.

"The European Youth Olympic Festival in Trabzon later this month is a fantastic opportunity for young athletes to experience high-level competition against Europe's leading sport nations," he said.

"It also offers these athletes a unique opportunity to participate in a multisport environment which is very much like the one they would experience at an Olympic Games.

"Many Team GB Olympians have already graduated from the EYOF to succeed at the Olympic Games.

"Rebecca Adlington attended 2003 EYOF and went on to win two gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, in the 400m and 800m freestyle swimming events. I am hopeful this trend will continue towards London 2012 and beyond.

"Team GB has finished in the top three in the medal table at the past three editions of the EYOF and I am certain that this year's team will do us proud."

(c) Sportsbeat 2011