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Turner eyes late medley call-up

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 06:00:00 +0100

GRANT Turner will be hoping he is given a late call-up into the 4x100m medley relay squad for tonight’s final at London Aquatics Centre.

Rowbotham: I gave it my all

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SWINDON-BORN rower Steve Rowbotham insists he and his crew couldn’t have given any more despite failing to climb the London 2012 podium. The 30-year-old was in action at Eton Dorney yesterday for the final time, going for silverware in the men’s quadruple scull final, to add to the men’s double scull bronze he and Matt Wells won four years ago in Beijing. Rowbotham and Wells were joined in the quadruple scull by Tom Solesbury and Charles Cousins, and looked to be in contention for a medal as they sat third at the halfway stage. However, Great Britain were overtaken by both Australia, who claimed the bronze medal, and Estonia, to finish fifth in 5:49.19, with Germany and Croatia claiming gold and silver respectively. But despite seeing his medal hopes fade in the latter stages of the race, Rowbotham insists he can leave London 2012 with his head held high. “Obviously we are disappointed not to finish with a medal, but we really gave it everything we had out there,” he said. “I think that everyone could see that when we crossed the finish line, none of us had anything left to give and that is all you can ask for. “We were in contention of a medal for the first part of the race and against the guys that we were up against I think that is a great achievement. “It wasn’t quite enough in the end and it is disappointing right now not to have a medal.

Great expectations as Miley and Turner lead medal charge in the pool

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 06:00:00 +0100

SWIM star Hannah Miley insists she can deal with the expectation on her shoulders as she targets Olympic gold today.

Faulkner: We just want to inspire people

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 20:40:48 +0100

IT WASN’T easy, but Swindon rhythmic gymnast Jade Faulkner insists the fight to just make it to the London Games will be well worth the effort. The 18-year-old endured a rollercoaster of a ride just to reach the capital this summer, with her and the team originally looking unlikely to compete after narrowly failing to achieve the qualifying standard at January’s Olympic test event. However their appeal against the decision was successful just two months later and since then Faulkner and co have been training hard to ensure their reprieve does not go to waste. And with London 2012 being the first time Great Britain will compete in rhythmic gymnastics under the shadow of the Olympic rings, Faulkner admits she wants to put on a show to ensure the next generation have a far smoother ride than she did. Faulkner got a taste of Olympic excitement at the official Team GB kitting out day at Loughborough University, and said: “The kitting out was really fun and I’m really looking forward to the Olympics now. I feel like a real Olympian with the kit on. “I tried some things on twice just to make sure. I really noticed how helpful everyone was and how friendly and it just makes the Olympics feel a really positive experience. “We’re just hoping to inspire some people to take up the sport and make the sport more high profile in the country. As long as we can inspire a few people, then that’s our job done. “As long as we perform a clean routine and the best routine we can do, then we’ll be happy.” Great Britain couldn’t have asked for a better setting to make its rhythmic gymnastic Olympic bow, competing in front of a home crowd at Wembley Arena. And Faulkner hopes home advantage plays its part when all is said and done – especially with a few familiar faces in the crowd. “It was really hard to get tickets, but my family managed to get a few, but maybe not enough for everyone,” she added. “My mum and dad got some. I really could have done it without them, so it’s important that they’re the ones who come and watch me on the carpet, so I’m very happy.”

Lloyds TSB, proud supporter of Team GB and proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Get closer to the Games at lloydstsb.com/london2012.

CANOEING: McKeever confirmed in Team GB

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:35:02 +0100

BRADFORD-ON-AVON canoeist Ed McKeever has been confirmed in the Team GB Canoe Sprint squad for the London Olympics this summer.