TAVISTOCK’S multi-talented athlete Orla White has been selected to represent Team GB at the 2025 European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje later this month.
The 17-year-old will be Team GB’s only representative in the female mountain bike event at the competition in the North Macedonian capital.
Team GB announced a team of 54 athletes on Wednesday to compete in 10 of the 15 sports on offer in Skopje – artistic gymnastics, badminton, basketball 3×3, canoe slalom, judo, mountain bike, road cycling, swimming, table tennis and taekwondo.
The multi-sport festival is for young athletes aged between 13 and 18 years-old.
Team GB said the festival: “Plays an important role in the development of young British athletes, providing crucial multi-sport event experience and guiding them towards realising their Olympic ambitions as they compete alongside over 4,000 athletes from 48 countries.’
This year’s British delegation will follow in the footsteps of some of Team GB’s most recognisable stars who themselves represented their country at youth events before going on to compete at a senior Olympic Games, including Nile Wilson, Dina Asher-Smith, and Duncan Scott, whose eight Olympic medals make him Britain’s most successful European Youth Olympic Festival alumni.
Rachel Smith, who captained Team GB’s rhythmic gymnastics team during London 2012 and has now been selected as chef de mission for Skopje 2025, said: “For many of our athletes, this will be their first opportunity to wear the Team GB kit and connect with the Olympic movement, which is a truly memorable experience and significant milestone in any athlete’s journey.
“The EYOF represents more than just a competition; it is where many of our Olympians began their journey with Team GB.
“Skopje 2025 will provide our next generation of athletes with a valuable introduction to a multi-sport environment and a platform to continue exploring their own version of extraordinary.
“I am looking forward to seeing the team in action and hope it proves to be a memorable and rewarding experience for everyone involved.”
White has really impressed this season after last year being named on the National School of Racing (NSR) programme series.
As well as being a talented cyclist, White has also been a member of Tavistock Athletics Club and last year represented Devon at the English Schools’ Track & Field Championships in the discus.