Olivia’s in at the deep end
Date published: 10 March 2011
Photo: Chris Sunderland
DOUBLE DELIGHT . . .Olivia Green, who has reached the schools biathlon national finals, shows off her qualifiers and semi-final trophies, gained in the regional stage, in Macclesfield.
ATHLETICS: LONDON is calling talented Hulme Estcourt pupil Olivia Green.
The 11-year-old has reached the schools biathlon national finals, which are to be held at Crystal Palace on March 27.
And Olivia, who runs for Royton and Oldham Harriers and swims in Stockport, is training six days a week in preparation for her debut appearance at the famous venue.
Of a field of 46 battling it out in the semi-finals in Macclesfield, she was one of only half-a-dozen Year Six pupils to reach Crystal Palace.
Olivia will represent the school in the under-12s category.
Dad Chris said: “Olivia has never been to the finals of this competition — it’s a big step but she is excited.
“She is training virtually around the clock, after joining Harriers at the start of this year.”
Olivia started out as a member of Oldham Seals Swimming Club, where a member of the coaching team recommended biathlon, which also involves running.
“She has never looked back since that conversation at Seals,” added Chris.
“People in the sport have a long-term aim of competing in the Olympic Pentathlon, which adds fencing, shooting and horse-riding.
“But at Olivia’s age it is one step at a time.
“When she first got into swimming it was great but combining it with running is even better.”
