Royal Holloway, University of London alumna Sophie Christiansen has been selected to represent Great Britain in the London 2012 Paralympics.
The British Paralympic Association announced that Sophie|, a Paralympic double Gold medallist, will be one of five Equestrian athletes who will seek to maintain the impressive track record of British riders at the Paralympic Games.
The London 2012 Games will be Sophie’s third Paralympic Games, where she hopes to build on her successes at Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008.
Sophie won an individual bronze in Athens in 2004 and two golds (team and freestyle) in Beijing in 2008.
She competed in the Beijing Paralympic Games while studying as a maths undergraduate at Royal Holloway. Sophie was a member of the College’s Student Talented Athlete Recognition Scheme (STARS)|.
She said: “The build up to Beijing occurred during my second year at Royal Holloway. The college was so helpful and supportive. They even arranged for me to take one of my exams early in the morning so I could get away to shoot an advert for the Paralympics with Sir Paul McCartney. STARS gave me that extra support with access to the gym facilities and financial help.”
Speaking about her selection for London, she said: “I’m so excited; it’s just phenomenal to be going. London definitely feels more special, even fewer athletes ever get to experience a home Games and there will be so many of my friends and family there to cheer us on.
She added: “Greenwich is going to be breathtaking. At Athens, the venue was quite far out and in 2008 we were in Hong Kong, so to have such an iconic equestrian venue right in the heart of London will be amazing. I have had so many people behind me and supporting me this year and I think everyone in my team has contributed to our success; it’s all been down to great teamwork”.
Posted on Wednesday 11th July 2012