Sprinter Olivia Breen set for IPC Athletics World Championships
By Mark Ashenden
Last Updated: 24/03/17 12:46pm
Sky Academy Scholar Olivia Breen is all set for action at the IPC World Championships in Doha, beginning on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old Welsh sprinter will be going for medals in the GB team over the nine days of competition in the 100m, long jump, 200m and relay.
It's going to be a hectic schedule for the Sky Academy Scholar as she gets to grip with the stifling Qatar conditions, the preparation and recovery needed for four events and needing to impress in a competition that will go a long way towards determining who will be on the plane to Rio next summer.
Here are Olivia's latest words from Doha.....
I have arrived in Doha and it is remarkable! The first thing which hit me as I got off the plane was the intense heat. It tends to be around 40 degrees during the day so I am really grateful that I have had a few days until my first event to acclimatise.
We are staying at The Aspire Zone which is a five-star resort attached to incredible sports facilities where we can get ready for the World Championships which start on Wednesday.
It covers 2.5 km and provides amazing facilities. The Torch Hotel is about 300 metres high and has 50 floors - just as well I am not scared of heights as we are on the 47th floor the other night!
I arrived last Sunday evening and got stuck into proper training sessions pretty much straight away.
Having cerebral palsy means it takes longer than usual for my body to get over long flights so for two days I was busy doing warm-ups, pool sessions and sports therapy.
I have also gone over my techniques in my head which is also really useful preparation.
I am so excited to finally be here in Doha and I am looking forward to the start of the competition. My schedule of events is as follows: (all times BST)
October 22 (4.02pm) - 100m final
October 27 ( 4.55pm) - Long Jump final
October 29 (5.15pm) - 200m final
October 31 (2.26pm) - 4 x 100m final
I have been training with a British Athletics coach called Rob Ellchuk who is fab and at the weekend my personal coach Jonas Dodoo flew over and it will be great to have him with me as I get ready for this huge event.
I will be moving into the centre of Doha ahead of my first event on Thursday and staying at the athletes' village which is close to the stadium.
I will be sorry to leave the luxury I have got used to (!) but I can't wait for the event to get going. My parents are also coming over before my first event and it will be so great to have their support as well.
Hopefully some of you will have an opportunity to watch some of my events and I really hope that I can make Sky proud and my results can show what a huge difference being a Sky Academy Sports Scholar has made to my performance and life!
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS
OCTOBER 21-31: Olivia Breen - IPC World Championships, Doha
NOVEMBER 2: Elise Christie, World Cup, Toronto
NOVEMBER 11-13: Siobhan-Marie O'Connor - BUCS Short Course, Sheffield
