Former Suffolk schoolgirl, Katy Sealy, is doing all she can to convince selectors that she should be in the Belize squad for the 2016 Olympics.
The 25-year-old heptathlete and ex-Farlingaye High School pupil, who qualifies for Belize through her father, remains hopeful of competing in Rio next August, but admits she remains in the dark over her destiny.
In the meantime, Bawdsey-based Sealy finds herself in a rich vein of form and is desperate to make it as difficult as possible for the Belizean Olympic hierarchy to overlook her achievements.
After three months of winter training, Sealy recently competed in the high jump and long jump at Brunel University, securing a personal best in the latter, and also won the South of England Senior Women’s Indoor pentathlon on Sunday, landing pb’s in both the 60m hurdles and high jump. Her high jump score also saw her set a new Belizean record.
“I don’t know what the situation is (regarding the Olympics), but I am keeping in touch with the people in Belize and letting them know what I am doing,” said Sealy,
“Because the standard of Belize competitors will probably not be up to Olympic level, then it’s down to the selectors who they want to go to Rio.
“I can’t do anymore than keep improving.
“I have to take each day at a time as each one is different in terms of my training sessions.
“Obviously the Olympics is in the back of my mind, but if I don’t make it to Rio, I may continue and see if I can make it to Tokyo (2020 Olympics).
“I won’t be disappointed if I don’t make Rio and if I am selected it will be an absolute bonus.”
Sealy will aim to stake a claim for Brazil by defending her Central American Championships title in El Salvador, next June, the first time she will have visited that particular destination.
“I am pleased with my form because that this time of year you don’t know what to expect after three months of indoor training,” Sealy added.
“I have been competing indoor, mainly as preparation for the outdoor season. My main aim in 2016 will be to defend my Central American title, improve my heptathlon score and set another national record.”
In tomorrow’s East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star - Meet East Anglia’s Olympic hopefuls.
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