Henry selected to Olympic Ambition Programme (From Haringey Independent)

Enfield & Haringey Athletic Club's Desiree Henry awarded Olympic Ambition Programme place by British Olympic Association

1:40pm Friday 6th July 2012 in Local Sport

Edmonton sprinter Desiree Henry was this week selected to the Olympic Ambition Programme by the British Olympic Association.

The Enfield & Haringey Athletic Club member is among the 130 athletes and 56 coaches who will participate in Team GB’s programme during the London 2012 Games.

Henry has demonstrated her talent by booking a place at next week’s World Junior Championships in Barcelona where she will go in the 200m.

And the 16-year-old has now won selection to the Ambition Programme which focuses on preparation for the upcoming Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics or the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

It gives a unique opportunity to experience the Games environment first hand as the athletes will see the Team GB Preparation Camp at Loughborough University, visit the Olympic Village, watch two Olympic sessions and experience the atmosphere at Team GB House in Westfield Stratford City.

The programme was first delivered four years ago in Beijing with the likes of athletics World Championship silver medallist Hannah England and European bronze medallist Perri Shakes-Drayton both involved.

They will be looking to put those experiences to good use this summer in their first Olympic Games as competitors.

British Athletes Commission Chair and Ambition Programme Director Sarah Winckless said: “The Ambition Programme is world leading in terms of preparation for competing at future Olympic Games and I will be encouraging the young British athletes and coaches to grab hold of this special opportunity with both hands and take in as much from the experience as they possibly can.”

Team GB Chef de Mission and British Olympic Association CEO Andy Hunt added: “The Olympic Ambition Programme is a key element of our legacy planning for future Olympic Games, both summer and winter.

“The young athletes and coaches participating in the programme will experience the unique atmosphere and environment of the Olympic Games and gain a very special behind the scenes insight with Team GB.”