Worcester tennis hopeful Jazzamay Drew is aiming for a podium finish as she gets set to kick off her European Youth Olympic Festival charge in Finland this week.
Drew is one 62 British youngsters making the trip to Tampere, as Team GB bid to improve on the 23 medals - nine of which were gold - won last time out in Belgrade in 2007.
And the 15-year-old, who celebrated her birthday yesterday at the opening ceremony, is determined to hog the headlines when it matters most.
“My training has been going really well and I am confident in my ability and feel I can do well here,” said Drew.
“I’ve just kept my usual routine going and, although I’m hoping for a medal, I’ll just take each match as it comes. I don’t know who I’ll be up against, which doesn’t help. But it should be a great experience for me. I haven’t been part of the GB squad before so I’m really excited and I can’t wait to start competing.”
Meanwhile, Nuneaton judo star Kyle Sweet insists he is fully prepared to make his mark at this week’s European Youth Olympic Festival after putting in the hard work over the past few weeks.
The 14-year-old Alderman Smith School pupil, who will turn 15 on July 28, will compete in the -55kg category and is the youngest of just ten players from the elite national line-up to compete in judo at the festival.
“Training with some of the senior squad who went to the Olympics last year has given me a boost and hopefully I’ve learnt a few tips from them,” said Sweet.
Meanwhile, Halesowen’s Josh Papworth will compete in the Time trial, Road Race and Criterium in Finland, while fellow Midlander Josh Hill will compete in the up to 50kg judo event.
n?The British Olympic Association selects, runs and manages Team GB at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. It promotes the Olympic Movement, enhances athlete success and develops Olympic sports in the UK – www.olympics.org.uk
