Thirteen SportsAid athletes selected for Olympic gymnastics team
05 Jul 2012
On July 4 the British Olympic Association announced the gymnasts who would represent Great Britain at the Olympics and SportsAid is proud to confirm that the charity has supported 13 members of the 18-strong team.
Among them is Olympic bronze medal winner Louis Smith who said of his SportsAid Award, “At a young age, committing to sport at a high level can be a real challenge. Not only do you need to believe in yourself but you need support from family, friends and coaches.
“SportsAid helped me to make this commitment by being an extra vote of confidence outside of this support group. The financial help was hugely appreciated but perhaps more importantly I felt that I had been recognised for my talent and that someone else believed I could make it.”
The BOA’s announcement takes the total number of SportsAid athletes in Team GB to 298 (out of 529), having received SportsAid and/or TASS awards during their career (SportsAid manages TASS on behalf of UK Sport). The 13 gymnasts among them are:
- Daniel Purvis – SportsAid Award in 2006
- Francesca Fox – SportsAid Award in 2011 from John Lewis
- Francesca Jones – SportsAid Award in 2009
- Georgina Cassar – SportsAid Award in 2012 from Lloyds TSB (Local Heroes)
- Imogen Cairns – SportsAid Award in 2000
- Jade Faulkner – SportsAid Award in 2012
- Katherine Driscoll – SportsAid Award in 2001
- Kristian Thomas – TASS Award in 2006
- Louis Smith – SportsAid Award in 2008 from the Peterborough SportsAid Foundation
- Louisa Pouli – SportsAid Award in 2012 from Towergate
- Lynne Hutchison – SportsAid Award in 2012 from Arup
- Rachel Smith – SportsAid Award in 2012
- Sam Oldham – SportsAid Award in 2007 from OCS
Congratulations to all of the athletes selected – we are looking forward to seeing you in action.
Photo: Louis Smith (copyright Action Images).
SportsAid's Patron
As SportsAid’s patron, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge is helping to shine a light on the achievements and potential of young athletes throughout the UK – an inspiring generation who one day hope to represent the nation at the Olympic or Paralympic Games. SportsAid alumnus Sir Chris Hoy welcomed the patronage by saying, “SportsAid played an important role when I was starting out so I know what a huge boost this will be to the young sportsmen and women the charity helps today. As patron Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will give them the profile they deserve.”
