Leicester archer Megan Havers has been selected to represent Team GB at Paris 2024.
Games debutant Megan is one of six archers selected to represent Team GB at the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The youngest member of the team at just 16, Megan has been studying and taking her GCSEs alongside her training.
Joining Megan in the women’s recurve team is 19-year-old Penny Healey, another Games debutant, and Bryony Pitman who will be competing in her second Olympic Games, after representing Team GB in Tokyo 2020.
“I am so excited about heading to Paris. The atmosphere is going to be amazing and I’m looking forward to the whole experience,” said Megan, who discovered her passion for archery aged seven.
“I was on a Haven holiday with my family. We just decided to give it a go and the instructor said I was a natural. Me and my granddad had a competition and I beat him which I was really pleased about! Then I got a beginner’s course as a present for my eighth birthday and I bought a bow a few months later before going on to represent my county, region and then the country. I was only part of my first senior team in March this year!” she revealed.
“My mum always jokes to me how different things would have been if we hadn’t gone on that Haven holiday.
“I’ve only just finished my GCSEs and ended up having to complete two exams – English language and Biology – out in Croatia while I was competing. One of them I had to do right after a medal match, and I didn’t finish until 10pm.
“I’m going to soak everything in when I’m at the Games. I’m at the start of my Olympic career, so I want to shoot my best and leave knowing I’ve done that. I shoot best when I’m relaxed so that’s going to be my aim.
“My mum, dad, brother and sister are all coming out to watch – they’ve even made a sign!”
The men’s recurve team comprises of Tom Hall, who also competed in Tokyo and two further Games debutants: Conor Hall and Alex Wise. All six athletes will compete as individuals as well as part of a team.
The Paris Olympics start on 26 July until 11 August.