Staffordshire Athletes Youth Olympic Success

 

Two young athletes from Staffordshire have helped ensure a successful Youth Olympic Games for Team GB in Singapore by securing medals in their respective sports. The inaugural Youth Olympic Games took place from 14-26 August 2010, involved all 26 sports on the summer Olympic programme, with 3,600 athletes, aged 14-18, from over 200 nations taking part.

   

Rachael Kelly from Ashley near Newcastle Under Lyme achieved her goal of winning a medal in the swimming pool and brings home a bronze following the women’s 100m butterfly final, which she completed in a time of 1:00.26.

 

Kelly, aged 16, said: “I had been saying all week that I was waiting for the 100m final so it feels amazing to get a medal. I haven’t swum spectacularly well throughout the week, but I have been improving and so to have got a medal at the end of it feels fantastic.”

 

Rachael Kelly

 

Windsurfer Kieran Martin, aged 15, from Cheadle in Staffordshire Moorlands ensured Team GB finished the Games on a high by claiming the bronze medal in the BIC Techno event on the final day of competition.

 

Kieran Martin

 

Martin was lying in third position heading in to the eleventh and final medal race at the National Sailing Centre and he showed no sign of nerves as he won the final race to secure the bronze medal overall.

Martin said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to have got the bronze medal, I’m really pleased. I had a few nerves before the race but once I was on the water it all went perfectly. I had a good start and then just concentrated on doing everything that I had been doing all week and it all worked out really well.”

 

"It feels great to have got on the podium because I finished fourth at the world junior championships earlier this year.

"It’s been amazing being out at the Games and I have got so many happy memories from being here.

"It’s such a good achievement and I am so happy. 

"It’s been a great honour to come out to Singapore and be part of the first Olympic Games and to get a medal is amazing."

Both Rachael and Kieran were awarded Young People’s Sports Performance Grants from Staffordshire County Council in April. Further information on this scheme, which opens again for applications in September, is available at http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/leisure/2012/sportsgrant/

Chris Kirkland
Staffordshire Co-ordinator for the 2012 Games
Staffordshire County Council

T: 01785 854595
M: 07773 791118
E: chris.kirkland@staffordshire.gov.uk