Olympics: Joy and despair for Grimsby area's 2012 London Games hopefuls
THERE are now just 100 days to go until the Olympic Games – and the trail to London 2012 is already littered with a combination of unbridled joy and crushed dreams for Grimsby area sportsmen and women.
Top level performers from our area are today either coming to terms with shattered hopes, keeping their fingers crossed for selection, or plotting their route to glory.
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CRUSHED DREAMS: Fulstow canoeist Louise Donington in action at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross, where the 27-year-old finished second overall in the Olympic trials. But strict selection criteria meant only the winner qualified for slalom event at London 2012.
With the Olympics now firmly on the horizon, the official selection process for the various sports is well underway.
For some that decision marks the culmination of a lifetime of training and competition that will see them compete at the 'greatest show on Earth'.
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For those who miss out on selection – like Fulstow canoe star Louise Donington – it feels like the end of their world.
Donington found out her fate at last weekend's Olympic trials. The 27-year-old competed at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in front of a crowd of more than 1,500 in a bid to book her place on Team GB.
Despite a brilliant second-place overall in the trials races, strict canoe selection criteria means only top-placed Lizzie Neave makes it to London in the slalom event.
Donington's fate is in stark contrast to that of Kate Haywood – the swimmer who was born in Grimsby, went to school in Louth, and swam with Louth Dolphins in her younger years.
The 25-year-old booked her place at the Games after a successful trials competition last month.
Former Cleethorpes AC athlete, Holton-le-Clay resident and Louth schoolgirl Hollie Arnold is hoping to get the nod by selectors for Team GB's Paralympic team.
The javelin thrower, who relocated to south Wales to be closer to her coach, is waiting to learn her destiny.
Her mum, Jill, said: "We are still waiting to find out when the announcement will be.
"We are keeping our fingers crossed. She has a very good chance."
Hollie, 17, is currently warm weather training with the British squad in Monte Gordo, Portugal.
Grimsby-born Glenn Kirkham, who grew up in Alford, near Louth, and who has family and friends in Lincolnshire, is expected to be a part of the Great Britain hockey team.
Kirkham, 29, has been a key part in the national side for years and is no stranger to the big stage – having competed at the previous Olympics in Beijing and the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
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