Double gold for swimmer Jessica

A YOUNG swimmer from Oldham was inspired by Team GB to repeat their Olympic medal success.

Jessica Lloyd (16) matched Mansfield marvel Rebecca Adlington’s two gold medal haul from the Beijing Olympics by triumphing twice in the UK School Games.

She won the women’s 50metre freestyle and was in the England Central women’s 400metre freestyle team that also took first place. It helped the England Central team to take the UK School Games swimming title for the first time.

The Saddleworth School pupil was one of more than 40 young athletes from across Greater Manchester taking part in the prestigious event, held in Bath and Bristol over the weekend.

Athlete Tyra Watson (15), from Oldham, also took part, just missing out on qualifying for the women’s 100metres final after finishing sixth in her heat.

They left Greater Manchester on coaches provided by transport operator First, a major sponsor of the Games.

Before setting off Jessica was dreaming of gold, saying: “It’s incredibly exciting to be on our way to the School Games, especially following the fantastic achievements of Team GB at the Olympics.

“I only hope that all the hard work and dedication pays off and we can do as well for our team as the athletes in Beijing.”

The annual Games are organised by the Youth Sport Trust with around 1,500 young athletes taking part. It replicates a major adult multi-sport event, with opening and closing ceremonies plus an athletes village, and is the first event in the London Olympiad following the end of the Beijing Olympics.

Activities included badminton, hockey, judo, athletics, fencing, gymnastics, swimming and table tennis. Disability events also cover athletics, swimming and table tennis.

Andy Scholey, managing director of First’s bus operations in Manchester, said: “The Games is a way of recognising, nurturing and celebrating future sporting talent and we believe wherever possible in enabling people to achieve their best potential.”

Olympic gold medal winning sprinter Jason Gardener said: “The Games represent a fantastic opportunity for the best young competitors to gain invaluable experience of future multi-sport competitions.”