Sprinter Holly sets her sights on the future

From the archive, first published Sunday 11th Mar 2007.

WHITCHURCH athlete Holly Croxford has set her sights on a future as a top class sprinter after being invited to study some of the world's finest at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Birmingham recently.

Croxford was one of 30 talented young athletes from across the UK hand picked to receive the exclusive invitation to the National Indoor Arena.

The teenager is one of the country's most promising athletes and is part of the elite SPAR Stars squad, a pool of talented young sprinters from across the UK who received the award last year in recognition of their winning potential and commitment to the sport.

And there couldn't be a better time for the young athlete to soak up the atmosphere of a major international event as all eyes focus on the London Olympics of 2012 and Britain's promising stars of the future.

The Winchester AC member recently underlined her impressive potential by finishing second in the 400m at the national under 20 championships - despite still being only 17. And the star-studded Birmingham event provided further inspiration for track success.

Croxford said: "It was great to soak up the atmosphere here and it makes me want to be competing myself in a few years time.

"I actually got nervous watching the British 400m runners Nicola Sanders and Robert Tobin as I know how nervous I am when I stand on that start line. I would like to think that I would be able to handle the pressure if ever I got in that same position though."

Croxford was also on hand to watch leading Brits such as Kelly Sotherton and Andy Turner, Britain's number one hurdler.

Turner said: "This is a great chance for young talented athletes to soak up the atmosphere of a major international event and see how top athletes cope under pressure. That's certainly useful as you move up through the ranks.

"Hopefully watching the athletics today will inspire and encourage them to keep up with their sprinting and step up to competing at this level."

Croxford trains at the SPAR sprints centre in Eton. The centre is part of a nationwide initiative which aims to increase participation in the sport as well as strengthen the sprinting infrastructure through the training and development of coaches and the creation of a UK network of SPAR Sprint and Hurdle Centres.