Paralympic multi gold medallists Sarah Storey and Aileen McGlynn and Beijing gold medallist Rachel Morris are amongst an 18-strong Para-Cycling team for London 2012 announced by the British Paralympic Association.
Storey will seek to defend her titles in the pursuit and time trial to add to her collection of 18 Paralympic medals, 16 of which were in the pool.
London will be Storey’s sixth Paralympic Games. Of her selection, she said: “Being selected for my sixth Games is very exciting, it has been a long time coming and one of the latest announcements I think I have been involved with.
“Training and racing has been all focused on the end of August and the Paralympic Games and being at home makes it extra exciting. I am looking forward to getting out there and racing now!”
Selected for a second consecutive Games is handcyclist Rachel Morris, who won gold in the time trial. She said: “I am so happy that all the hard work, dedication and focus has paid off.
“To be competing in a home Paralympics is more than the majority of elite athletes will ever experience and having the opportunity to perform in front of your country and people that have meant a lot to me on my journey in life and also sport means more than I can put into words.”
The Para-Cycling team brought home 20 medals from Beijing to finish top of their sport’s medal table, and the sport has brought home multiple international medals from road and track since 2008, so Paralympic selectors are confident that the team will perform once again when they take to the boards at the Olympic Park is just over 60 days’ time.
Selected female athletes:
Karen Darke
Aileen McGlynn with Helen Scott
Rachel Morris
Sarah Storey
Lora Turnham with Fiona Duncan
Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine