Sarah’s Honour
Sarah Winckless (Orchard Leigh; 1990-92), (pictured, on the right, with Elise Laverick after winning the Bronze Medal in the Double Sculls at the Athens Olympics) has been elected, from a short-list of three exceptional candidates following a three-month search process by the British Olympic Association, as the first Chairman of the newly created British Olympic Association (BOA) Athletes’ Commission. Sarah has gained widespread experience of working on behalf of her peers, holding positions of athlete-focused responsibility in organizations such as the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, CCPR and UK Sport.
The new Commission will provide the voice and perspective of athletes in advising the BOA Board and Management Team on all matters relating to Olympic operations, performance and policy.
Sarah graduated from Cambridge University with Blues in netball, basketball, athletics and rowing, and competed in three successive Olympic Games, culminating in 2004 with a bronze medal in double sculls at the Athens Games. She is also a two-time World Champion, winning gold in quad sculls in 2005 and 2006.
Since retiring from competitive sport in 2009, Sarah has used her proven ability to inspire and motivate in a coaching and leadership role as Managing Director of SK Win Ltd..
Jemma and Carl at the European Championships
Jemma Simpson (Portway 1997-2000) finished 5th in the final of 800m at the European Championships, watched by her partner Chris Thompson, silver-medallist in the 10,000 metres.
Carl Myerscough (Georgian Cottage; 1996-98) qualified for the Shot Putt Finals but finished in twelth place with a throw of 18.19m, well short of his personal best.
Alas, in the World Athletics Championships in Berlin in August, Jemma, British number one and ranked 6 in the world, finished in frustrating fifth position in the semi-finals of the Women's 800 metres, just missing the final by one place. She had been expected to qualify after finishing second in her qualifying heat. At the World Championships in 2007, Jemma did qualify for the final and finished in eighth place.
Nikki Plans to Become Kiwi
Britain’s number one 1500m runner in 2009, Nikki Hamblin (2004-06; Martin’s) has applied for New Zealand citizenship. She has lived in New Zealand since 2006 and is a fine prospect – but, alas, not for England.
World Championship Disappointment for Carl
In Berlin in August, Carl Myerscough(1996-98; Georgian Cottage) performed far beneath his best in the Final of the Men's Shot Putting event. Out of 36 competitors, he qualified for one of the 12 Final places with a throw of 20.17 metres but could only manage 18.42 in the Final, finishing in 11th place.