Family are so proud of Bleasdale (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Family are so proud of Bleasdale
5:15pm Tuesday 7th August 2012 in London Olympics 2012 - Latest News
Chris and Debbie Bleasdale
HOLLY Bleasdale’s family have expressed their pride after seeing her perform in the Olympic pole vault final last night.
Bleasdale ended the event in tears after missing out on a medal but just getting to the Olympics and her first major final was enough to make her family proud.
Mother Debbie and husband Chris were in the Olympic Stadium to see her compete, while sister Abby and granddad David Woodyet secured late tickets from Bleasdale’s sponsor Nike.
Her aunt, Melanie Hinks, hosted a viewing for friends and family at home, saying: “It is such an achievement to get into the finals.
“To compete in the Olympics, and in your home country, is amazing. She has done amazing.
“I’m so proud of her.”
Bleasdale’s father Chris said: “Representing Great Britain was always something Holly wanted to do ever since she wore her first England vest in the under 20s Celtic International competition.
“That was in February 2010.”
Former Olympic champion Denise Lewis wished Bleasdale good luck before the competition, tweeting: “Holly we’ve got everything crossed for you xx.”
Joe Fleming, a coach at her club Blackburn Harriers, said: “To see athletes from the club competing on the television makes it all worthwhile.”
RoversSwiss says...
8:32pm Tue 7 Aug 12
No doubt Holly will learn much from her experience. As a Sports coach myself I have to say that my heart sank a little when Holly said that she was just going out to enjoy it, that's a recipe for disaster. Whoever told her to that did her no favours at all. At Holly's level it is a very fine line between success and failure, you have to be totally focussed on the job to be done. The enjoyment in professional sport comes afterwards when you pick up your medal or cheque for winning.
It is clear that she has the talent to win gold in the olympics, looking forward to seeing Holly win in Rio.