World championship call up for town para athletes
LOUGHBOROUGH College athletes Sophie Hahn MBE and Olivia Breen are set to compete for global gold after being selected to compete for Britain in the World Para Athletics Championships.
The pair have been named in the 49-strong GB squad with Rio double medallist Sophie competing this summer in the T38 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay and Olivia returning to the London Stadium five years after winning Paralympic bronze in the T35-38 4x100m relay for the 100m, long jump and, also, the sprint relay.
Hahn recently set a new world record in the T38 100m and on her Paralympic debut in Brazil last year won gold in the 100m T38 and also scooped a record-breaking silver medal in the women’s 4x100m relay. Still only 20-years-old, the Loughborough College Sport student was earlier this year presented with an MBE by Prince William for services to athletics.
The squad announcement was made at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, where Sophie joined fellow teammates including Jonnie Peacock MBE, who won sprint gold at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics and five-time Paralympic Champion and seven-time World Champion wheelchair racer Hannah Cockcroft MBE. “I had a great time at the team launch,” she said afterwards and declared she was, “proud to be chosen.”
Olivia, 20, who also studies Sport wth Loughborough College, said: “This is my third world championships and it is even more exciting because it is at the Olympic Park in London. It will be amazing to be back in that stadium!
“It has been quite a journey since I was there in 2012 but I feel as though I have really grown up as an athlete and a person and I feel in a really good place.”
Para Athletics head coach Paula Dunn said: “We have selected a very strong team and I am delighted to see so many medallists from Rio lining up alongside some new faces at the senior level.
“Having a home world championship is very special for all the athletes, coaches and team staff, so we are all very honoured to be representing the British team this summer.
“I expect the British public will throw their support behind the team once more, and our team will create some unforgettable memories for them once again in the London Stadium.”
The team also includes Loughborough-based athletes Dan Greaves F44 Discus, Jonnie Peacock T44 100m,
Stef Reid T44 Long Jump and Sam Ruddock F35 Shot Put.