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Olivia Mathias tipped as future Olympian




Olivia Mathias
Olivia Mathias

Triathlon star Olivia Mathias has been tipped as a potential future Olympian by British Triathlon.

The 19-year-old, of Fenton, is one of two new athletes to be selected on to the UK lottery-funded World Class Performance Squad.

She has been added to the Olympic podium potential squad after impressive performances at junior level.

As well as funding athletes, a place on the squad gives Mathias access to top coaching staff and specialist practitioners, equipment and world-leading facilities.

Mathias has been in good form throughout the year, finishing third at the ETU Junior European Cup in Hungary and fifth at the ETU European Championships in Austria.

She followed that up with a sixth-placed finish in the ITU World Championships in Rotterdam.

The Newark Athletic Club and Newark Swimming Club member said she was delighted to be selected.

“It was great that my performances throughout the year have been good enough to get me a place,” she said.

“This was my last year at junior level and I worked hard to make sure I got my best positions in the World and European competitions.

“It means I will have more support and access to help for things like performance, lifestyle and psychology if I need them. There will always be a support network around.”

'I have had a great year'

Mathias trains more than 20 hours a week at Loughborough University, and said having easier access to coaching had been a big help.

Mathias will compete as an under-23 athlete for the first time next year, and is eyeing further success.

“I have had a great year and I want to have another one next year. I want to qualify for the World and European Championships again,” she said.

Other athletes selected for the 2018 squad include Olympic medallists Alistair Brownlee, Jonathan Brownlee and Vicky Holland.

British Triathlon performance director, Brendan Purcell, said: “We are pleased to add some new names to the World Class Performance Squads alongside some of the sports’ most successful athletes.

“We absolutely rely on UK Sport Lottery Funding to get our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to start lines ready to race.

“It is a big year ahead with the Commonwealth Games, a home European Championships in Glasgow, the ITU World Championships on the Gold Coast, and Olympic qualification starting.”



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