Midlands trio targeting glory at Olympic Youth Festival
A trio of teenage Black Country athletes with Olympic ambitions have been selected to represent Team GB at a prestigious international event.
Swimmers Kaiden Hitchins and Olivia Robins and cyclist Rose Lewis are part of a 54-strong squad heading to the European Youth Olympic Festival which takes place in North Macedonia later this month.
The festival plays a key role in the development of young athletes, giving them experience of competing at multi-sport events with swimmer Duncan Scott and athletics star Dina Asher-Smith among the current GB Olympic stars to have competed at them in their formative years.
Smethwick’s Hitchins and Stourbridge’s Robins, both aged 15, rank among the most promising young swimmers in the country.
Hitchins, who has already broken several junior records and is on the England pathway, said: “I’m over the moon to be selected for Team GB. I’m sure I could speak for every British athlete when I say it’s one of those things you dream about happening.
“It feels surreal to be following in Duncan’s (Scott) footsteps, but hopefully I can use this experience as a huge stepping stone for the rest of my career like he did.”
While Hitchins and Robins will compete in the North Macedonian capital of Skopje, Halesowen Cycling Club star Lewis takes part in the cycling events a short distance away in Kumanovo.
The 16-year-old last year became the youngest member of Halesowen’s academy team, having previously won national titles in four different disciplines.
Results this year so far have confirmed her status as one of the leading young riders in the country.
The action gets underway on July 20 and concludes on July 26, with the GB contingent competing against 4,000 athletes from 48 different countries.
Two-time Olympic swimmer Anna Hopkin will take on the role of Athlete Ambassador for Team GB.
The gold medallist from Tokyo 2020 said: “To have the chance to hopefully inspire and pass on knowledge to the next generation is something that I am really looking forward to.
“Having been just like our young athletes working hard and dreaming of the future, I know exactly how they are feeling. So, I’ll be looking to give them some useful information to make sure they can best use this opportunity to further their careers.”
Rachel Smith, who competed for Team GB in rhythmic gymnastics at London 2012, has been appointed Chef de Mission for the festival.
She said: “For many of our athletes, this will be their first opportunity to wear the Team GB kit and connect with the Olympic Movement. A truly memorable experience and significant milestone in any athlete’s journey.
“The EYOF represents more than just a competition; it is where many of our Olympians began their journey with Team GB.
“Skopje 2025 will provide our next generation of athletes with a valuable introduction to a multi-sport environment and a platform to continue exploring their own version of extraordinary.
“I am looking forward to seeing the team in action and hope it proves to be a memorable and rewarding experience for everyone involved.”
