UK Talent Team search for 2016 Olympians

UK SPORT and the English Institute of Sport have teamed up to unearth Great Britain's Olympians beyond London 2012 by launching Talent 2016: Tall and Talented.

Olympic rowing medallist Katherine Grainger and Andy Triggs-Hodge have given their backing to the scheme, aimed at identifying the stars of tomorrow in sports such as rowing or basketball, where height can be an advantage.

Tall and Talented is looking for men and women between 15 and 22 over the heights of 5 ft 11ins for women and 6ft 3ins for men.

"At the age of 16, I just spent my time watching TV and riding my bike to my friends' houses. I never dreamed that I would one day be an Olympic Champion," said Hodge.

"I got into rowing by chance, and simply as a way of getting fit. Talent 2016 removes the element of luck involved and provides young athletes with a more structured opportunity to realise their sporting potential."

Meanwhile, Grainger has called on British youngsters to strive to reach the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

"Competing at the Olympics is as good as it gets," said Grainger. "Talent 2016: Tall and Talented is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you think you have what it takes, then give it a go.

"It won't be easy, but you'll have a world class support team backing you all the way. If you've got the talent and the dedication, you could be standing on that Olympic podium in Rio in seven years time with a gold medal around your neck."

Previous campaigns run by the UK Talent Team have highlighted the benefits of taking a more proactive and scientific approach to matching athletes with their ideal sport.

Sporting Giants, Girls4Gold and Pitch2Podium have successfully identified a number of athletes, who are all now striving for success either in London or the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014.

Victoria Thornley was identified by the Sporting Giants programme and subsequently gained a place on British Rowing's World Class Start programme.

And the 21-year-old captured under-23 world gold as a member of the British women's eighth in July this year.

"I hadn't sat in a boat two years ago," said Vicky. "But I took a chance and with a lot of hard work it's paying off, I've had an amazing year. You can do a lot in a short space of time if you put your mind to it."