Sunday 10 June 2012

World champion Mhairi Spence will spearhead a four-strong modern pentathlon team as Great Britain look to continue their Olympic medal success at London 2012.


Spence spearheads gold charge as GB's modern pentathlon hopefuls are revealed


    World champion Mhairi Spence will spearhead a four-strong modern pentathlon team as Great Britain look to continue their Olympic medal success at London 2012.
Spence will be joined in the women's competition by fellow Olympic debutant Samantha Murray, who won bronze at the Rome world championships in May.
Britain have won four medals in female modern pentathlon since the women's event was added to the Olympic programme at the Sydney Games in 2000.
Going for gold: (L-R) Sam Weale, Samantha Murray, Mhairi Spence and Nick Woodbridge will represent Britain at the Olympics
Going for gold: (L-R) Sam Weale, Samantha Murray, Mhairi Spence and Nick Woodbridge will represent Britain at the Olympics
London calling: Gold medal favourite Mhairi Spence rides horse Loughnatousa Romeo
In the men's event, world number five Nick Woodbridge is joined by Sam Weale, who recently became the first British man to win a European Championships medal.
After eight athletes met the qualification standard, the British Olympic Association were able to name a full team for the second successive Olympics.
Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: 'The fact that eight British athletes achieved the modern pentathlon Olympic qualification standard is a tribute to the excellent performance programme that has been developed by Pentathlon GB.
'The four athletes selected today have demonstrated their great potential with impressive results at world level over the past 12 months, most notably through the gold and bronze medals won by Mhairi and Samantha respectively at the world championships.
London calling: Team GB chef de mission Andy Hunt presents the modern pentathlon hopefuls in Greenwich
London calling: Team GB chef de mission Andy Hunt presents the modern pentathlon hopefuls in Greenwich
Good to talk: Great Britain's Mhairi Spence (left) and Samantha Murray speak to the press

laura Williamson 2012 blog
'British modern pentathletes have an excellent track record in Olympic competition, winning four medals in the last three Games. We will do everything we can to support them in their quest to win a medal for the fourth consecutive Olympic Games.
'I have every confidence they will deliver inspirational performances.'
Stephanie Cooke won Britain's first modern pentathlon gold in Sydney and Kate Allenby claimed bronze. Georgina Harland finished third in Athens and Heather Fell won silver in Beijing.
The men's competition takes place on August 11. The women's event is a day later and will be the last medals won at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Spence said: 'I find it hard to find words to describe how excited I am to be part of the British team for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
'I've dreamed of competing at an Olympics since I was eight years old and I feel like it's so much more special because the Olympic Games will be in London.'
Woodbridge finished 10th at the world championships.
'I'm in the best shape of my career and I have a lot more experience than four years ago in Beijing,' said Woodbridge.
'I'm aiming to win a medal at this Olympics, like I did in the World Cup final in Greenwich a year ago.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2156506/London-2012-Olympics-Mhairi-Spence-leads-Britains-modern-pentathlon-team-Games.html#ixzz1xNz6oDUW