Richard Jefferies competing in Duisberg. Picture by Balint Vekassy.
A FORMER Islander has been named in the Great Britain Olympic team.
Richard Jefferies, 25, will compete in sprint canoeing at the London games, it was confirmed today (Thursday).
It has not been an easy ride for Richard, formerly of Bembridge but now living and training in Nottingham.
"It feels weird to finally know I have the spot," he told the County Press.
"After four years of training and trying to qualify and then a two-week wait to get confirmed I have a spot, it’s amazing and strange to know I have to now adjust my focus for the actual Games."
Before that, however, Richard has the European Champion-ships in Croatia next weekend, and then it is off to Barcelona for the final preparations.
Richard will be the only British athlete to race in the canoe sprints, where he is set to compete in both the men’s C1 200m and C1 1000m events.
The canoeing takes place at Eton Dorney, near Windsor, on August 10 and 11.
For a full interview with Richard and more about his road to the games, see the Isle of Wight County Press tomorrow, Friday, June 15.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk