Sammy Sullivan, Britain's canoe sprint 200m under-23 champion is preparing to compete in the under-23 World Championship this weekend.
The event, Sammy's first at world-class level, is to be held in Montemor-O-Velho, Portugal, and will feature more than fifty countries.
Sammy grew up in Chippenham, attending St Marys Catholic Primary School followed by Abbeyfield Secondary School.
Since her selection as one of six female athletes to join British Canoeing in 2016 as part of the Girls for Gold programme, Sammy progressed quickly to the fast track training programme, Discover Your Power, at Holme Pierrepont in 2017.
Sammy has since raced for Wiltshire Youth in Nottingham, for Great Britain in Hungary and Germany, before becoming British 200m champion this summer; a feat made more impressive, coming just months after undergoing surgery to treat an injury sustained in training.
Following recent funding cuts, Sammy no longer receives funding from the National Lottery, but this has done nothing to slow her on the water.
Sammy is training harder than ever, fitting her routine in alongside a 40-hour work week. She trains twice a day: a typical morning might entail intensive strength exercises in the gym; with evenings, after work, spent on the water.
Sammy's mother, Lisa Sullivan, is extremely proud and hopes that Sammy's experience might encourage the children of Chippenham to try something new; and from there, anything is possible.
Sammy's family were excited to cheer her on the water this weekend but with the ICF's decision to hold the event behind closed-doors, this is now not possible. However, they will be keenly willing Sammy on from the UK, as will Sammy's entire street.
The three Women's C1 200m heats in Sammy's category will take place today (September 3) at 6.35, 6.39, and 6.43pm British time, which remains the same as local time until the clocks go back on October 31.
She will also compete in the C2 canoe sprint, a mixed pair event, which begins on Sunday.
The event will be available to watch online from the International Canoe Federation's website: canoeicf.com
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