GB chief England hails EYOF squad as stars of tomorrow

GREAT Britain chef de mission Mark England insists the European Youth Olympic Festival will witness the British Olympic gold medallists of tomorrow.

FOLLOW THE LEADER: GB chef de mission Mark England will lead GB youngsters to the European Youth Olympic Festival next month

England will lead 61 athletes, aged 13-16, to Tampere, Finland bidding to improve on the 23 medals - including nine golds - secured by Team GB at the 2007 EYOF in Belgrade.

England has a rich history leading successful British youth squads to multi-sport events, having helped Team GB to a mammoth 68 medals at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in January.

And England is convinced the chance to sample the Olympic atmosphere at such a young age is certain to inspire the champions of the future.

"It's fantastic and a huge privilege to be taking a young and talented Team GB to the 2009 European Youth Olympic Festival," said England.

"The Olympic Festival gives us the chance to discover future Olympic Champions and offers a fantastic opportunity for the athletes to experience a multi-sport environment reminiscent of an Olympic Games.

"The Festival strives to provide a true Olympic experience to young competitors, and the Opening Ceremony incorporates the traditions of an Olympic Games with an athletes' parade, athletes' and officials' oaths, the lighting of the Festival flame, and the raising of the Olympic Flag."

Tampere will be staging the tenth edition of the EYOF from July 18-25 and athletes from 49 European nations will be competing in a total of nine sports: athletics, cycling, gymnastics, judo, swimming, tennis, basketball, handball and volleyball.

Cheshire-based sprinter Liam Clowes will be spearheading GB's assault on the athletics track, but the 16-year-old revealed the EYOF could not have been further from his mind a little over a year ago.  

"If someone had told me a year ago that I would be in the position to represent Great Britain, I wouldn't have believed them," he said.

"I only took up the sport two years ago through school and they said I was really fast, so I was taken to the Cheshire Championships where I won both the 100m and 200m.

"I didn't know much about the sport. I even thought 200m was a long-distance event!

"But earlier this year I heard that I had a chance of making the team for the European Youth Olympics and ever since then I've really stepped up a gear.

It means the world to me to represent Great Britain. It really is like Christmas come early. I've dreamed of it and didn't think I would achieve it."

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SQUAD>>