CHEPSTOW TEENAGER SET TO COMPETE IN BEIJING
Chepstow’s Jenny McLoughlin looks set to compete in Beijing this September, having been added to the nominations put forward by UK Athletics to Paralympics GB for selection.
Sixteen-year-old McLoughlin is the 36th athlete to be named by UK Athletics for this summer’s Games. Her addition takes the number of Welsh track and field athletes expected to compete at the Paralympics to nine. Her fellow Welsh-mates are Nathan Stephens, Tracey Hinton, John McFall and Rebecca Chin, also 16, who were all nominated to the squad at the end of last week.
GCSE student McLoughlin looks set to make her Paralympic debut in Beijing competing in the T37 100m and 200m. The Chepstow-based youngster, once an FDSW Academy Member but now on the UK Athletics World Clas Development Programme, made her mark in 2007 winning the UK School Games and is now one of eight juniors looking to represent ParalympicsGB at the athletics events in Beijing.
FDSW Academy Manager, Gerwyn Owen said: “I am very pleased to see Jenny’s name being added to the eight originally selected. It shows the talent that we produce in Wales rise to the top very quickly. As with Becca Chin, Jenny is only 16 yrs old, but having come through our successful Academy programme, determination, skill and talent have made it possible for them to achieve their dream. For me in the Academy it’s a great indication that the work we do with these young athletes make it possible for them to be the best. I hope this transfers to the rest of the Academy squad, and we’ll see further successes in London 2012 and beyond”.
UK Athletics Director of Disability, Tim Jones said: “We are pleased to be able to nominate such a strong team for Beijing, which is a real blend of both youth and experience. Over half of the nominated team are due to make their debut at the Paralympic Games, in particular eight of the 14 female athletes. As we look beyond Beijing, the ability to nurture athletes who will be able to perform in London is of paramount importance. Having the ability to expose some of these athletes in Beijing will provide them with a fantastic learning experience. UK Athletics set some tough qualifying standards to ensure a high quality team, and it is testament to the determination and talent of our athletes that these were achieved and exceeded.
“It is important that a large majority of the travelling team is capable of winning medals, and we are confident that this will be the case in Beijing. We all know that the Paralympics will be the real test, but we believe the ParalympicsGB athletics team is exceptionally well prepared for the challenge ahead.”
ParalympicsGB Chief Executive and Chef De Mission for Beijing, Phil Lane, said: “With the tough qualification standards set by UK Athletics it is fantastic to see so many talented youngsters among this nominated squad for Beijing, who will no doubt be exciting prospects in London in 2012.
“I am also delighted that there are so many Paralympic and world championship medallists among this squad, which puts us in good stead ahead of this summer’s Games.”
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games opens on September 6 and closes on September 17. The athletics events at the Games take place at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, from September 8 to 17.
At the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, Britain finished second in the medal table with a total of 35 golds, 30 silver and 29 bronze medals. With competitive standards continually rising and the dominant Chinese team taking the home advantage ParalympicsGB recognises that the 2008 Paralympics will be one of its biggest challenges yet.
