Sky Scholar Olivia Breen ends European Championships with a relay world record
Friday 17 June 2016 09:35, UK
Olivia Breen helped to break the 4x100m relay world record to wrap up the IPC European Championships in Italy on a high.
The 19-year-old anchored the T35-38 4x100m relay final alongside GB team-mates Maria Lyle, Georgie Hermitage and Sophie Hahn to finish in style and secure her only medal of a very testing week in Gresetto.
The Sky Academy Sports Scholar had endured a difficult few days in the championships, finishing sixth in the 200m on Sunday, missing out on long jump bronze and another sixth place in the 100m final.
The Paralympian had also complained of food poisoning prior to her events on Wednesday but refused to be downbeat and ensured she finished well on the final day of the championships with less than two months before the Rio Games.
The GB team, with Breen on the final leg, clocked a time of 51.63 seconds, smashing the previous record of 54.86 seconds held by Russia.
It was a record breaking evening for GB who won three golds and five medals in total to improve the previous highest number of medal won at an European Championships, recorded in Swansea two years ago, to 56 medals overall.
Head Coach of the Paralympic programme Paula Dunn said: "I am delighted with our record breaking results at the European Championships, with experienced athletes performing like the champions we know they are, and a lot of young and upcoming athletes stepping up on the European stage.
"To win 56 medals, 23 of which are gold is a phenomenal achievement for the British team.
"This event has been a great stepping stone as we head towards Rio and also as we look towards the World ParaAthletics Championships in London next year and the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020."
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS
23-26 JUNE: Lucy Garner, National Road Cycling Champs, Stockton-on-Tees
24-26 JUNE: Holly Bradshaw, Jessica Judd at British Championships, Birmingham
25-26 JUNE: Quillan Isidore, British BMX Round 7 & 8, Burgess Park
