Tuesday 26 July 2016 20:49, UK
There will be five Scholars strutting their stuff in Brazil this summer and we wish them all the best on the big stage.
It has been a long, hard and emotional rollercoaster ride for all 11 of our Sky Academy Sports Scholars since they were selected for our Sky team after London 2012.
With the British Paralympic athletics squad finalised on Tuesday, sprinter and long jumper Olivia Breen became the fifth Scholar to be selected for the Games.
The five Scholars heading to Rio:
SIOBHAN-MARIE O'CONNOR (Swimming, 200IM - DOB 29/11/1995)
"Being part of Sky Academy has been brilliant for my training. I've been able to do everything needed to improve and try to get to the top."
Read more about Siobhan
OLIVIA BREEN (Athletics, T38 100m, 200m & long jump - DOB 26/07/1996)
"Being a Scholar has given me the confidence and financial ability to make this dramatic move and I haven't looked back since."
Read more about Olivia
HOLLY BRADSHAW (Athletics, Pole Vault - DOB 02/11/1991)
"Sky have already given me some great opportunities and I'm looking forward to more in the future."
Read more about Holly
SAVANNAH MARSHALL (Boxing, Middleweight - DOB 19/05/1991)
"Johnny Nelson has helped me particularly on the physical side with my techniques, where Adam Smith has helped me mentally."
Read more about Savannah
MARK ENGLISH (Athletics, 800m, 4 x 400m relay - DOB 18/03/1993)
"Having a mentor has been immensely valuable. The advice Darren Campbell has given me on injuries, training and racing has been golden."
Read more about Mark
For the five that have made Rio, there are six Scholars that did not and have to now work on goals beyond 2016. Head of Sky Academy Sports Scholarships Tony Lester insists not making the Games isn't a disgrace.
Lester says: "For some the joy is in making the cut, and getting onto the team. For the more seasoned it's simple, a medal is the only measure of success.
"You can only imagine the self-imposed pressure that our young Sky Academy Sports Scholars have put upon themselves in their quest to become an Olympian.
"There really is no easy route to the Olympics; it's a labour of love looking to fulfil that once in a lifetime sporting ambition. The journey is filled with bumps in the road, and having an 'off day', you do so at your peril.
"To make an Olympics team, you without a doubt need to be talented. But equally, luck is a key player. Catching a cold, picking up an injury in the heat of competition is all the bad luck you don't need.
"Let's not forget that these athletes are people too, who have not only sacrificed everything, but given their all. The one thing that can be guaranteed is that they are doing their very best.
"We should try not to criticise. We should take a minute to think about the journey that sports person has been on to get to that point and try to walk a mile in their shoes."
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS
July 30: Lucy Garner, Ride London
August 5-21: Rio Olympics
September 7-18: Rio Paralympics
