Felsted pupil, Charlie C, has been selected by the British Olympic Association as one of 36 athletes to represent Team GB at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) running between 19 January to 1 February 2024.
Flying out to South Korea with the whole squad on 18 January, Charlie will then transfer to Gangwon where he and the squad will be staying in the official Olympic Village for the duration.
Charlie, a boarder at Felsted School in North Essex, at just 16 years of age, is in the youngest qualifying age bracket, which allowed only a very narrow window to achieve the criteria for selection. Charlie will be the youngest GB Freestyle Skiing athlete at the Games, making his selection all the more incredible.
Team GB’s athletes, all aged between 15 and 18, will compete in 11 of the 15 sports on the programme: alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh, cross-country, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, luge, short track speed skating and snowboarding.
YOGs play an important role in the development of young British athletes, providing crucial multi-sport event experience, building on Olympic values and guiding them towards realising their own Olympic ambitions.
After receiving the news of his successful selection, Charlie’s parents, Andy and Laura commented; ‘It’s difficult to find the words to describe how we are all feeling – it is just the most amazing news’. Charlie was first identified for the Olympic Pathway at just 8 years old, along with several other children. Speaking on his son’s commitment and work ethic, Charlie’s father, Andy commented; ‘In the eight years since, Charlie has worked hard and made personal sacrifices to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming an Olympian. We would like to note our thanks to Felsted School for their continuing support of Charlie’s sporting progress, the opportunities made available for Charlie to take part in external competitions and events and their help in the preparation and supervision of Charlie’s training’.
Charlie said; ‘I have always dreamed of being an Olympian and I am so proud that I will be representing Team GB. It is going to be a great experience and I cannot wait to get started in Gangwon later this month’.
Head of Felsted School, Chris Townsend comments, ‘Charlie joins a long line of Felsted Olympians and is our first to compete in the Youth Winter Games. Sport is an important part of life at Felsted and there is no greater competition than the Olympics. We are all incredibly proud of his achievements and the whole Felsted community is excited to see him compete in Gangwon, we wish him the very best of luck’.
Felsted School has now produced 22 Olympians over the last 116 years, dating back to the London 1908 Games. Most recently Matt Coward-Holley won the bronze medal in the Men’s Trap Shooting at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Felsted School regularly competes in school ski competitions and, as recently as last month, gave an outstanding performance at the 2023 International School Ski Championships where they took home an impressive 15 awards.
Felsted offers elite pathways for talented athletes, which include individualised training and nutrition programmes. Indeed, Felsted’s dedicated teaching and coaching team with a number of current or retired elite athletes, along with additional sporting partnerships and close connections with professional clubs including Sunrisers Women’s Cricket, Saracens Rugby, London Pulse and Mavericks Netball, coalesce to challenge pupils of all abilities, encouraging a healthy attitude to fitness and exercise.
Categories: Felsted School School News
