| British Shooting - Beijing 2008 |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Sunday, 17 August 2008 | |
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Defeat is never easy but is a consequence of performing in sport at all levels. We will learn from it and build on it to deliver winning performances in the future. The positives will make us more determined and stronger for the future and the experience identifies what needs to be done to win in London 2012. The pain will make us more resolute and the challenges ahead will be met robustly with the support of the BOA and UK Sport through the World Class Pathway Programme. The Games in China have been a memorable and exciting spectacle and the importance and stature of shooting in China has allowed millions to watch some wonderful sporting achievements in Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun shooting. Hopefully these images will stir and kindle the enthusiasm of a new generation of sporting heroes who will take our wonderful sport forward to London 2012 and medal winning performances on home soil. Team GB shooting returns to the UK bitterly disappointed of its performances in Beijing - we were, like many other nations, quite simply average when you need to be outstanding on the day. They are the foundation for medal winning performances in London. In the meantime thanks are due to all involved in the preparation of the team over the last four years, to the athletes, coaches, support staff and administrators without whom none of this would have been possible; also, to the BOA for the best holding camp and pre-Games preparation programme ever and their professionalism and cheerfulness on venue in a tough and challenging environment. To UK Sport without whose support through the Lottery funding, Olympic shooting in the UK would be in the wilderness. Our sport has changed and is changing rapidly at international level with a new professional ethos in many countries that is driving results and world’s best to levels of achievement that would, not long ago, have been thought impossible. We are part of that challenge and opportunity. A total of 10 new or equal World or Olympic records were set in Beijing and the winning landscape is changing - major shooting countries such as the Russian Federation and Germany failed to win a single gold medal - only China won more than two golds, whilst only 9 countries out of 104 won two or more medals. JG Leighton-Dyson
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 10 April 2009 ) |
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