FIONA PENNIE has vowed to make the most of her second crack at an Olympic Games after being confirmed on a four-strong British canoeing squad for Rio 2016.
The Scot, 32, was left devastated when she missed out on London three years ago following a final race-off with rival Lizzie Neave in the K1 class. But after winning last month’s trials, the former European champion will finally get the chance to improve on her 17th place at the Beijing Games of 2008.
“Having missed out on selection for London 2012, being able to go to Rio 2016 is the culmination of a huge amount of hard work and a dream that has been at the forefront of my mind for the last four years,” she said. “I was disappointed with my result in Beijing in 2008, so am hugely excited to be able to have another chance at performing on the biggest stage as a greatly improved athlete.”
Fellow Scot David Florence is also included with the twice-Olympic silver medallist granted a double shot in the C1 event as well as the C2, where he will team up with Richard Hounslow, while Joe Clarke rounds off the line-up in the K1 kayak.
"I've thought a lot about Rio in the years since the London 2012 Games and I've been desperate to get the chance to compete there,” Florence said. “To finally know that I have my place at the 2016 Olympics is so exciting. I can't wait to get out there for the first time and I'm looking forward to giving my all over the next 10 months."
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