Paralympian Olivia Breen on Rio push and a magical birthday
By Mark Ashenden
Last Updated: 28/08/16 8:06am
It's looking pretty rosy for one of Britain's top Paralympic sprinters with just over 12 months to the start of the Rio Games.
Three years ago Olivia Breen stormed to Paralympic bronze inside the Olympic Arena and she was back again recently to show off her sprinting credentials with another medal on her 19th birthday.
As the summer season builds momentum, Olivia reveals what it was like to be back in London and how she's getting ready for a busy few months of hard slog......
It has been a great few weeks. I finished my second year at college at the end of June and I am now back at home for the summer.
I have recently competed in a couple of long jump competitions and at The Jumps and Throws Fest in Birmingham and was delighted achieve a personal best of 4.28m. I have succeeded in jumping the qualifying distance for the World Championships and hopefully I can build on this over the next few months.
I know there is more to come for my long jump and I am looking forward to jumping at The Sainsburys School Games in September for Team South West.
I have recently given a few presentations at clubs and schools to try to inspire other young people with my story including one at my old club City of Portsmouth AC where it was great to catch up with my old coaches and see the new emerging talent there.
It was a very exciting weekend in London. It was my 19th birthday on the Sunday and I competed at the IPC Anniversary Games in the 100m. It was amazing to be back at the Olympic Park and it brought back so many incredible memories of London 2012.
Whilst there were not as many people as at the Paralympic Games the crowd's support was incredible and I was delighted to win a bronze medal in the 100m and reduce my personal best. It was also great to be able to share the day with lots of family and friends who came to support me.
I am so lucky to have so many supportive people around me helping me with my training.
My coaches Jonas and Julie and their team have worked so hard with me and the rest of my training group are really supportive. I have an amazing sports therapist in Keith Waldon and his team at Up and Running in Portsmouth.
Also The Surrey Sports Park have really helped with my Strength and Conditioning training. All this help together with the support of my family and friends have contributed to the improvements in my performances. I could also not be more grateful to all at the Sky Sports Academy for the support they always give me.
I am now taking a short two week break from training to relax and give my body a chance to rest. I am in Mykonos with my family at the moment for week and it is just what I need after a very busy few months.
When I return I will start the second phase of my training hopefully towards selection for the IPC World Championships in Doha in October.
I am spending 10 days in Tenerife with my coaches in September for some intensive training which will hopefully put me in a good position for selection. Fingers crossed!
Olivia Breen is one of 12 athletes being supported through the Sky Academy Sports Scholarships scheme.
The Scholarships offer a programme of support tailored to each athletes specific requirements covering areas such as funding, media coaching, mentoring and wider developmental support.
Read here for full details of the scheme
