Rio 2016: Rotherham sprinter Louise Bloor gets dream Olympic place after injury troubles

Rotherham sprinter Louise Bloor has been rewarded for her tough battle back from injury with a place in the Team GB relay squad for the Rio Olympics.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jul 2016, 12:18 BST
Updated 14th Jul 2016, 13:29 BST

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Louise BloorLouise Bloor
Louise Bloor

Bloor had started 2016 in imperious form and was only beaten once during her the winter season as she won the British indoor 200m title.

However, injury blighted her outdoor preparations and she had not run outdoors before the British Championships in Birmingham last month, where she bowed out in the 200m heats.

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Despite her lack of competition, the British Athletics selectors awarded the 30-year-old a place in the relay squad for the European Championships in Amsterdam last week.

Louise Bloor won the British indoor 200m title earlier this yearLouise Bloor won the British indoor 200m title earlier this year
Louise Bloor won the British indoor 200m title earlier this year
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Ashleigh Nelson and Desiree Henry make up the other places in the seven-strong 4x100m relay team for Rio.

Bloor tweeted last night: “What a turbulent year! Can't believe I'm going to the Olympics It's an honour and a dream.

“Thank you to all who helped me get there #TeamGB”

Louise Bloor won the British indoor 200m title earlier this yearLouise Bloor won the British indoor 200m title earlier this year
Louise Bloor won the British indoor 200m title earlier this year

Bloor joins training partner Jessica Ennis-Hill and fellow Yorkshire athletes Luke Cutts, Derek Hawkins, Laura Weightman and Tom Bosworth in an 80-strong British squad.

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Ennis-Hill will attempt to defend her heptathlon gold medal while Leeds Beckett University student Laura Weightman has medal claims in the 1,500m.

Barnsley's Cutts had a disappointing time at the Europeans as he failed to make the pole vault final, failing three attempts at 5.50m in qualification, and will need to be at his best to reach a final in Rio.

Bosworth holds a set of British race-walking records and has been selected in the 20km walk while Leeds' Hawkins competes in the marathon.

Sheffield middle-distance runner Lee Emanuel has missed out on Olympic selection in the 1,500m despite finishing sixth at the European Championships in Amsterdam.

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Related topics:Rotherham