Skeleton athletes selected for Sochi

22 January 2014

University of Bath student Dom Parsons was today named in a four-strong GB skeleton team to compete at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Parsons is studying for a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University and took up the sport of skeleton as an undergraduate at the University.

You can find our full details of his pioneering research and his quest for Sochi success.

“Sochi has been my goal for so long that I’m very relieved to have been selected, and excited about the opportunity to represent Team GB at the Winter Olympics,” he said. “My performances during the season have shown that I have the ability to be up there in the medal zone, so my aim over the next few weeks is to make sure I have the best preparation so that I can produce my best performance when it counts.

British Skeleton has its headquarters at the University of Bath and athletes use some of the facilities at the Sports Training Village, including the push-start track.

Parsons is joined in the four-strong skeleton squad for Sochi by world number one woman Lizzy Yarnold, who does some of her training at the University.

She said: “This really is a dream come true – my whole life I have dreamt about becoming a British Olympian and for the last five years since I took up skeleton, competing at Sochi 2014 has been my primary focus. This season has been great for my preparation, I am in a good place both physically and mentally – and I can’t wait to get back on the Sochi track, go over the lines and maintain my focus.  I don’t take part in races to come second, so I will approach the Olympic Winter Games as I do every race and give it everything I’ve got!”

University graduate Shelley Rudman, the reigning world champion and Turin 2006 silver medallist, and Kristan Bromley, who competes at his fourth successive Olympic Winter Games, are also selected for Team GB.

Nigel Laughton Team GB Skeleton Team Leader and Skeleton Performance Director said:
“I am delighted that we have such a strong skeleton squad representing Team GB at the Olympic Winter Games. Collectively, our season has been excellent, with medals and top-six results at every World Cup, and hence the athletes will arrive in Sochi ready, prepared and confident ahead of this exhilarating competition.

“The team of athletes selected encompass a healthy balance of experience, previous Olympic success, youth and outstanding current form, and whilst for Lizzy and Dom this will be their first Olympics, for Shelley and Kristan, their 3rd and 4th respectively – incredible achievements in their own right.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our partners, sponsors and supporters, particularly UK Sport and the National Lottery who have been instrumental in getting us to the ‘Start Block’ in Sochi.  The next month promises to be an incredible one and I have no doubt our skeleton sliders will make us all extraordinarily proud.”

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