Ballakermeen High School student Charlotte Atkinson (15) will travel to Sheffield next week in the hope of qualifying for the London Olympics.
Swimmer Charlotte will take part in Round 2 of the Olympic trials and compete in three events. She trains eight times a week in the pool and gym and already has an impressive haul of medals and records from the 2011 Island Games and the 2012 Commonwealth Youth Games where she reached six finals.
Charlotte said: ‘I would be thrilled to be selected for the Great Britain squad, but even if I’m not this will give me valuable experience for the future. Rebecca Adlington, who won two gold medals at Beijing, will be competing on the same day and I really hope to see her.’
Headteacher Adrienne Burnett wished Charlotte luck and said: ‘Our students often make me proud through their achievements, but Charlotte is competing at the very highest level now and I am especially pleased for her. We would love to cheer her on, as we will Mark Cavendish in the cycling.’
Charlotte will swim in the 50 metre Freestyle, 200 metre Backstroke and 400 metre individual medley, all in open-age classes in Sheffield.
Photo caption - Adrienne Burnett, Headteacher and Charlotte Atkinson.
