ParalympicsGB name Newport archer for Beijing Paralympics
Although Beijing will be Pippa’s first Games, she has already competed at world and European level, winning silver at her world championship debut in 2001. Most recently she won team gold at the 2007 IPC Archery World Championships with Mel Clarke and Danielle Brown.
She said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be selected for Beijing; it’s a really big thrill. I used to swim as a kid – I was never good enough to compete at the highest level but I always dreamed I’d be at the Paralympic Games one day…and now, all those years on, here I am, going to the Games.”
Pippa is joined in the ParalympicsGB archery team by Paralympic champions John Cavanagh (London) and Kathy Critchlow Smith (Oxford) as well as Games debutants Mike Karaphillides (Luton), Mick Beard (Cornwall), Mel Clarke (Norwich), Lynne Burton (Chelmsford), Danielle Brown (Yorkshire), Kay Lucas (Ludlow), Fred Stevens (Hinckley, Leicestershire) and John Stubbs (Warrington).
Head Coach and Archery Team Manager Tim Hazell, said: “Pippa is simply sports professionalism personified and she has my complete respect.”
“Overall this is a very strong squad we are sending out and I have no doubt that we will be bringing home some medals. I am delighted for all the archers who have made the squad, they are all there on merit and they will do us all proud.”
ParalympicsGB Chief Executive and Chef De Mission for the Beijing Games, Phil Lane said: “It’s fantastic to see so many archers qualify for the ParalympicsGB team for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. With the inclusion of the compound bow for the first time, ParalympicsGB have the opportunity to bring home more medals.
“To represent your country at a Paralympic Games is a tremendous achievement and I would like to congratulate all these athletes on their selection and welcome them to the ParalympicsGB team.”
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games opens on September 6 and closes on September 17. The archery events at the Games take place at the Olympic Green Archery Field and will run from September 9 to 15.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.
For further information about ParalympicsGB, please contact Sian Davies in the Press Office on 0207 211 5240 or 07721 892686 or by email at sian.davies@paralympics.org.uk. For news updates visit the BPA website at www.paralympics.org.uk
N.B ParalympicsGB is the trading name of the British Paralympic Association.
For further information about GNAS call Peter Jones, Archery GB Media, on 07841 997408.
