Sky Sports
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • Netball
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Watch
  • Sky Bet
  • Shop
  • More
    • Podcasts
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports App
    • Sky Sports with no contract
    • Kick It Out
    • British South Asians in Football
Watch Sky Sports

Olympics News

Home

  • Live on Sky
  • Watch
  • Get Sky Sports
  • Sky Bet

Sky Scholar Olivia Breen upbeat on return to UK after challenging 2016 Rio Paralympics

By Mark Ashenden

Last Updated: 24/03/17 11:18am

Olivia Breen took time out on her busy schedule to check out some of the sights
Olivia Breen took time out on her busy schedule to check out some of the sights

British Paralympian Olivia Breen was delighted to return home on Tuesday after an emotional time in Rio and admitted it had been a "tough" and educational experience.

The 20-year-old sprinter and long jumper had high hopes of getting back on the Paralympic podium in Brazil four years after winning a relay bronze at the London Games.

Breen, born with cerebral palsy and supported by Sky since 2012, impressed to make it through the T38 100m heats in her opening event but finished seventh in the final. In the long jump she was 12th.

They were disappointing results for the multi-eventer albeit in two hugely competitive disciplines and she remained all smiles after stepping off the plane at London Heathrow on Tuesday.

The Sky Academy Sports Scholar said: "It's so nice to finally be home after being away for a month. It's been a tough trip but it's been a learning experience."

Her Rio experience started very positively, qualifying for the final of the T38 100m with a fourth-spot in her heat, only for GB team-mates Sophie Hahn and Kadeena Cox to grab the headlines with gold and bronze respectively.

Team Breen staying strong during the Paralympics in Brazil
Team Breen staying strong during the Paralympics in Brazil

After the race, Breen said: "I am very disappointed with the final, but I did everything I could.

"I had a good start and if I can find a positive then I'm happy I got into the final. I actually ran better than I thought I would."

With only 47 hours between the 100m final and long jump final, resting and preparation was a tricky balance and Breen found the going tough. She finished 12th with a best effort of 3.99m, 35cm short of her personal best.

Also See:

  • About the Scholarship
  • Meet the athletes
  • Blogs
  • Videos
  • Galleries

It turned out to be Breen's last action in Rio after being dropped for the 100m relay squad. She said on finding out the decision: "I am absolutely gutted but that's sport!"

GB's Paralympians won a total of 127 medals in Rio, 64 of them gold, breaking their medal tally from London 2012, met their 2016 target and finished second in the medal table behind China.

Videos

'Absolutely bonkers!' | Reilly becomes first person in the world to land new BMX tricks!

'Didn't touch the sides!' | Gorst with the golden break!

'I have no words!' | Emotional Chadwick claims historic Indy NXT win

Atwood shares how his great grandmother dealt with segregation

'Wow! Simply sensational!' - USA sink golden break in Mosconi Cup thriller

Around Sky Sports

Sky Sports

Get Sky Sports

Your sport. Your Way.

Competitions win prizes

Win Win Win

Win in our free to enter competitions section

Around Sky Sports

Sky Sports

Get Sky Sports

Your sport. Your Way.

Competitions win prizes

Win Win Win

Win in our free to enter competitions section

  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • Netball
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Watch
  • Sky Bet
  • Shop
  • More
    • Podcasts
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports App
    • Sky Sports with no contract
    • Kick It Out
    • British South Asians in Football
  • X
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • WhatsApp
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Super 6
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports+
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Tennis
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Go
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Sky Partnerships
    • Sky Impact
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2026 Sky UK