Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Tom Bosworth qualifies for Olympic Games in Rio
The 26-year-old claimed victory in the British Olympic 20km Race Walk Trials at the British Grand Prix of Race Walking at Woodhouse Moor on Sunday.
He had needed to finish in the top two athletes to secure his selection for this year’s games and did so comfortably, winning in a time of 1:26:17.
It means Tom, who graduated in 2013 after studying BSc (Hons) Sports Performance, will go to Rio four years after agonisingly missing out on a place at London 2012.
2012 - 2016. Two extremes! Just missing out on London Olympics to today, confirming my place at the Rio Olympics! pic.twitter.com/GrFVH4TIsw
— Tom Bosworth (@TomBosworth) June 5, 2016
Tom, who still trains at Leeds Beckett under the tutelage of national coach Andi Drake, said getting to the 2016 games was the culmination of a great deal of hard work and sacrifice.
He said: “(It means) everything. I have worked for it day in, day out. You commit everything and sacrifice so much, you miss your family, friends and everything… I’m just speechless.
“Thank you to everyone who turned out today and for everybody on social media. Family, friends and coaches are all part of it, so thank you.”
Qualification for Rio caps a fantastic year for Tom who has also set a new British 20km record at the IAAF Race Walking Challenge in Dudince, Slovakia.