‘People power will fuel my Olympic bid’
BRITISH bobsleigh pilot Mica McNeill has vowed to use “’people power” to propel her towards next year’s Winter Olympics after recovering from the blow of having her funding cut by the domestic sport’s governing body.
Mica is closing on her £30,000 target to pay for next season’s World Cup campaign after launching an online funding campaign in the wake of the decision by the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation last week. It is believed the BBSA are preparing to stage an embarrassing climb-down and offer Mica some degree of support for next year’s World Cup campaign, which is crucial to sealing her qualification for Pyeongchang.
But Mica, who celebrated her 24th birthday on Monday with a press call at a Durham garage owned by one of her backers, is adamant it is the response of the public that has restored her belief and ability to achieve her Olympic dream.
Mica said: “The campaign is not even a week old and we have already raised over £28,000, and it is a huge awakening to realise how much support we have out there.
“The money is going to help us get on ice this season and compete in the World Cup races we need in order to get the world ranking for the Olympics. We are powered by the people and it is them who will be pushing us down the track.”
Already reeling from bullying and sexism claims and the respective departures of their performance director and head coach, the BBSA were further criticised last week when news of the women’s funding cut emerged.