London is handing over the Olympic torch to the Brazilians, and we’re expecting to witness the best show of sporting excellence in the world. Over the next two weeks, we will all consume Olympism in a variety of ways – from a travelling fan, to a television spectator, newspaper reader, radio listener or online onlooker.
Olympic women to hold a torch for
For all us Average Janes out there, here is a shortlist of Great British women to look out for over the next few weeks.
Jo Pavey
Athletics, 10,000m
On Friday morning, 12th August, Jo will be paving the way for mature female athletes, competing in her 5th Olympic Games in the 10,000m event. She won gold at the European Championships in 2014; the oldest female winner the championship has seen in its history. Getting on the GB team was not smooth running for Jo, but she achieved qualification, and this 42-year-old seems to be in the form of her life.
Dina Asher-Smith
Athletics, 200m & 4x100m relay
At London 2012, Dina was 16 years old and a volunteer games maker. Four years on, at the age of 20, she is the fastest British woman over 100m and 200m, becoming the first British woman to dip under 11 seconds for 100m. She recently won gold at the European Championships, her first senior title. Rio may be her first Olympic Games as a competitor, but a contender she will be.
Jessica Ennis
Athletics, heptathlon
Great Britain’s golden girl, who was part of that remarkable Super Saturday, has not slacked off since London 2012. She gave birth to her first child Reggie in 2014, then won the World Championship title the following summer. Just last month she won in Germany, with a points tally of 6,733 – the second best score this year in the world, and not far off her personal best of 6,955 points. Fingers crossed she will still be shining on Saturday 13th August.
Charley Hull
Golf
Golf is back in the Olympic programme, last seen in the Games in 1904. However, with the top male golfers withdrawing due to fears of the Zika virus, it is a subdued re-introduction to this so-called 5th major golf tournament. Charley Hull is Britain’s young prospect, having hit the fairway running when she turned pro in 2013. She is the type of golfer that will be decorated with the GB coat of arms, right down to her nail artwork.
Rebekah Tiler
Weightlifting
This 17-year old powerhouse is sponsored by her local butcher. He pays her in steak, as funding for weightlifting was cut in 2014. She has the European and Commonwealth junior titles to her name. However, it’s her recent performance on the senior stage, where she won 3 bronze medals at the European Championships,which secured the only female weightlifting place on the road to Rio.
That’s a few of the Olympic women we’ll be watching avidly over the next few weeks.
Good luck to the entire GB 2016 Olympic team!
Who will you be watching? Share with us – @tweetjanes.