Two Guildford Canoeists to Compete in Olympics

Published on: 29 Jul, 2012
Updated on: 30 Jul, 2012

The Team GB Canoeists, with Rachel Crawford 3rd from left and Liam Heath 3rd from right

Two Guildford-born kayakers, former George Abbot pupils and members of Guildford’s Wey Kayak Club are amongst the team of nine hoping to paddle to Olympic glory in the flat-water Canoe Sprint at Eton Dorney in Buckinghamshire. The events will take place between the 6th and 11th of August.

The two canoeists from Guildford are Liam Heath, aged 27, and Rachel Cawthorn, aged 23. Britain one its first canoeing gold in Beijing and the London Games marks the inauguration of 200m events. Liam Heath will compete with Jonathan Schofield in the Men’s K2 200m. The pair have won two silver medals in their World Cup events this year as well as silver at the 2011 World Championships in Szeged, Hungary and have been European Champions two years in a row.

Rachel Cawthorn

The women’s K1 500m race will be contested by Rachel Cawthorn, who won gold over 1000m at the 2010 European Championships in Trasona, Spain and bronze over the Olympic distance of 500m, before going on to match the 500m achievement at the 2010 World Championships.

Liam Heath

Speaking about being given the chance to take part Liam Heath said: “Securing my selection for Team GB was an awesome feeling, a mixture of accomplishment, excitement and pride. Being able to compete as part of Team GB at a home Olympic Games is an incredible honour that has been achieved through sheer hard work, but it is well worth it!”

Rachel Cawthorn said: “I am so excited to officially be a part of Team GB. It is a dream I’ve had since before I even knew what a kayak was and it has actually become a reality. I feel especially proud to have been selected from such a tough, strong, competitive group of girls. I am looking forward to getting super stuck in now and focus on giving my best possible performance for the Team at the Olympic Games.”