Deary and Sotto head to Rio2016 as part of BOA Ambition Programme

The British Olympic Association launched its Ambition Programme for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games this week with thirty-nine young athletes and coaches getting the chance to experience the Olympic environment this summer.

The Ambition Programme works with the sporting national governing bodies to offer athletes and coaches, who aspire to compete at Tokyo 2020, a unique opportunity to have an inside experience of an Olympic Games. 

The programme, which was first launched for Beijing 2008, is designed to replicate a first Games experience for young British athletes and coaches.

William Deary has been selected to be part of the programme and said; “I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the BOA Ambition Programme.  This is a once in a life time opportunity which I will use to prepare me for the future and to allow me to make the most of the Tokyo Olympics should I qualify.  Words really cannot explain how excited I am to go to Rio and receive a true insight into the Olympics.  I will definitely make the most of my time there. This programme has also allowed me to meet my true sporting hero, Sir Steve Redgrave, who shows anything is possible even.  He has faced his diabetes head on and this is what I try to live by.  He is a true inspiration.  It is meeting my heroes like this and getting a great inside look at the Olympic Games which is why I am very much excited to be a part of this Ambition Programme.”

Ludo Sotto will also join the programme as a coach and added; “I’m very honoured to have been selected to be part of the Ambition Programme.  Going to Rio is a big chance and I am really looking forward to learning from the most important sport event in the world and to sharing my experiences with all of the athletes and British Fencing.  I would like to thank my clubs, Fighting Fit Fencing and Escrime Academy and British Fencing’s World Class Programme which have always supported me.”

Read the full BOA release here.