Lydgate's Olivia Green insists she’s ready to fight for one of the most hotly-contested spots on Team GB for the Paris Olympics. 

The British women’s modern pentathlon team is a dominant force on the global stage with four athletes in the top 15 of the world rankings, with Olympic champion Kate French waiting in the wings. 

A maximum of two women can go to Paris - meaning Green faces a scrap just to make the start line.  

“We’re probably the strongest team in the world,” said Green. “It’s great to have training partners at such a high level, pushing each other, but it makes qualifying and selection that much harder. 

“It’s super competitive and we’ve got athletes coming through the junior ranks too who are really strong and have produced amazing performances. 

“I could see how in other environments it could get quite difficult, but we all get on quite well. We hang out outside of training, we’ll go for brunch together after training, have gatherings and Christmas parties.  

“We can help each other and we need each other. There’s been problems with older generations and competitiveness getting in the way of friendship, there are one or two frictions, but as a squad we’re actually quite good friends.”

Green is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing her to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – this is vital for her pathway to the Paris 2024 Games. 

Green’s sporting journey began as a runner at Sale Harriers, as well as a keen swimmer, adding shooting, fencing and horse-riding to her arsenal to become a leading athlete in a unique sport. 

A brilliant fifth place finish at the 2022 World Championships was the breakthrough she needed. 

“To be honest, I was never really winning anything at junior level,” she said. “I felt like I had the potential to do well but I wasn’t clicking the five sports together. 

“The focus wasn’t on winning medals, it was getting everything to come together on the day. I went in to my first senior season relaxed, there wasn’t a lot of pressure or expectation on me. 

“That World Championships just proved to myself that I can do it. I can be up there with the best.” 

With the Paris 2024 Olympics only one year away, the Games are set to inspire people and communities all across the country. Green hopes that by sharing her story it will give others motivation to get involved into sport. 

Green is on the road to Paris with boyfriend Joe Choong, Olympic champion on the men’s side. 

Modern pentathlon was never the dream but Green has always been driven by the prospect of a spot on the biggest stage in sport. 

“I’ve always wanted to go to the Olympics since I was young,” she said. “It didn’t matter what sport I was doing, I just wanted to be there. I didn’t know it would be in modern pentathlon until the age of 16 or 17.  

“I’m focusing on Paris, trying to enjoy my journey while I can and see what happens after that.” 

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