The New Zealand Olympic Committee caught up recently with sixteen year old Sophia Batchelor one of the eight Christchurch athletes who received a Christchurch Athlete Hardship Grant. She is hopeful of being part of the New Zealand Team heading to the Olympics in London this year. Sophia Batchelor, one of New Zealands most promising swimmers, who was affected by the earthquake with the family home being damaged beyond repair and both parents having lost business premises, her club pool at Aquagym was closed due to damages and the 50m training pool was unusable. Sophia Batchelor said it wasnt all about the money but more about the act of giving, not just me, but athletes of all disciplines. After so many of us lost our training facilities it did seem that throwing in the towel seemed like the best option. In gifting me the grant, you told me, and many others, that there are people out there who will do anything they can to keep us going, to help us along, but most of all, to stand behind us when it really mattered. Despite the hardship, Batchelor finished New Zealand age-group championships in Wellington a few weeks ago with nine-gold medals. Her backstroke time of 29.4lsec took 0.l7sec off the previous record held by Emily Thomas. Batchelor also won the 200m butterfly in 2m 14.03sec, more than 2sec inside the old record. This time gave Batchelor her 22nd current national record. On reflecting on the $6520 grant, Batchelor said: I value the support of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, and I am looking forward to the challenge of qualifying for the Olympics. If I am successful then I will do everything to make New Zealand proud. This money has gone towards the training and travel needed to achieve my goals. This has taken a lot of pressure off my parents who have over the years worked hard to support my swimming career financially. The financial and mental support the NZOC have given me with the grant pulled together the rubble that my preparation had become after the on-going earthquakes and put a foundation under me again. It enabled me to compete and strive to constantly improve myself." New Zealand Olympic Committee Secretary General Kereyn Smith said the hardship grants were an important contribution to athletes based in Canterbury. I know this financial support will help them towards achieving their goals and Olympic dreams in 2012, she said. This coming weekend, Batchelor will be attending the New Zealand Open Championships and Olympic trials at West Wave Aquatic Centre, where she will be fighting for a place in the Olympic team. ---------------------- Sophia Batchelor's Achievements: NZ Champion & NZ Record Holder 2011 IV Youth Commonwealth Games, Isle of Man. 1 x Gold medal. 1 x Silver medal. 2 x Bronze medals. 2011 14th FINA World Long Course Championships Team. 2010 World SC Championships, Dubai. 11th 200m back. 2010 Oceania Championships, Samoa. Gold (200m back, 50m fly). Bronze (100m back) 2010 Junior Pan Pacific Championships, Maui. 5th 200m back, 8th 200m free, 12th 100m free & 100m back. Sophia holds a New Zealand Long Course record in the 100m butterfly.
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