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Loughborough duo confirmed for Beijing triathlon team

Posted on 28/12/2008

Loughborough University Website

Loughborough duo confirmed for Beijing triathlon team

Loughborough student Will Clarke and University-based athlete Tim Don have today been officially named in Britain’s triathlon team for the Beijing Olympics.

The pair, who will be joined in China by Loughborough-bound Hollie Avil, achieved the qualification criteria at the Madrid BG Triathlon World Cup in Spain last month (May 25), both finishing top six at the international event.

Former world and European U23 champion Clarke is set to make his Olympic debut, while 2006 world champion Don will be appearing at his third consecutive Games.

Clarke was the top-placed Brit at last year’s Beijing test event, finishing 7th, and is looking forward to returning to the course.

“I love the course in Beijing and did well there last year,” he said. “I’m going to the Olympic Games with that in mind and hope to have another great race.”

Seasoned performer Don, who has shown massive improvements since finishing 18th at the Athens Olympics, is aiming for top three this time round.

“I am looking forward to my third Olympic Games and believe that can aim for the podium in Beijing,” he said.

International and European Junior Champion Avil, who is planning to start a degree at Loughborough next year, has only raced over the Olympic distance four times and at just 18 years old she will be one of Team GB’s youngest athletes in Beijing. “At the start of the year I only expected to be going to Beijing as part of the BOA’s 2012 Olympic Ambition Programme, but it’s been an amazing year and now that I am going as an athlete, I certainly want to make the most of it,” said Avil.

The trio are part of a five-strong triathlon squad confirmed for Beijing.

For more information see http://www.olympics.org.uk/beijing2008