Four Borderers are competing for Team GB at the Paris Olympics, which formally kicked off with a grand opening ceremony along the River Seine on Friday
Lucy Hope
Swimmer Lucy Hope competes in her second Olympics, having been part of the women's 4x100m freestyle relay that finished fifth in Tokyo, setting a new British record in the process. Earlier this year Lucy won a silver in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the World Championships.
Lucy has already been in action in the Paris pool, racing in the 4x100m freestyle relay heats and final on Saturday. Team GB qualified in second place in the heat and then went on to finish in seventh in the final. The 4x200m freestyle relay heats and final will take place on Thursday 1 August.
Lisa Thomson
Lisa Thomson has also experienced Olympic action already this Games. The sole Scottish representative in Team GB’s women’s rugby sevens squad, Lisa played in the team’s pool matches, which included a 21-12 victory over Ireland and a 26-17 win over South Africa. Unfortunately the team came up against an extremely physical USA side in the quarter final, losing 17-7. Earlier today they lost to China 19-15 and will play Ireland at 5pm to decide the 7th and 8th placed teams in the competition.
Scott Brash
Scott Brash will compete in the showjumping, aiming to add to the gold team jumping medal he won at London 2012. This will be Scott’s third Olympics, and he’ll be riding Hello Jefferson in both the team and individual show jumping events. Scott will first be in action on Thursday 1 August.
Sarah Robertson
Sarah Robertson is competing in her second Olympics for the Team GB hockey team, having taken a bronze home from Tokyo after a 4-3 victory over India. Team GB got underway with a 2-1 defeat to Spain on Sunday, followed by a 4-0 defeat to Australia. Further pool games take place on Wednesday and Saturday.
Local support
Both Lucy and Sarah have been backed in the past through the local Athlete Support Programme and ClubSport funding. The Athlete Support Programme started in 2007 and is delivered by Live Borders with the support of a voluntary management group. It aims to provide a stepping stone for local athletes to make the jump to being able to compete at the highest levels.
The programme provides specialist and tailored opportunities for the athletes in strength and conditioning, nutrition, psychology support, annual target reviews and goal setting with a coach and the management group.
Over the years it has supported a large number of local athletes who have gone on to achieve international selection and compete at the very highest level in their respective sports.
ClubSport represents and supports local member clubs, organisations and individuals to help everyone to achieve their sporting goals.
Councillor Euan Jardine, Leader of Scottish Borders Council
“I want to wish our four Borderers all the best in Paris. It is an incredible achievement to be selected to represent your country at what is the pinnacle of sport and I hope they thoroughly enjoy the experience.
“On the back of having had 10 riders representing Great Britain at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, this is further inspiration to our young people. We do not punch above our weight in this region; we are a heavyweight region in sport.
“I want to pay tribute to the local sports clubs, coaches and organisations, such as Live Borders and ClubSport Borders, that continue to support the development of our young sportsmen and women and help them to go on to reach their goals. Thanks to initiatives like the Live Borders Sports Academy and the Athlete Support Programme I am sure we will continue to see Borderers compete on the highest stage for many years to come.”