By Tom Reynolds
THAMESMEAD athlete David Bolarinwa insists he is in the shape of his life ahead of the inaugural Youth Olympics and is hell-bent on taking British junior sprinting to a whole new level.
The 16-year-old travels to Singapore as the quickest youth in the world this year having set a new personal best of 10.39seconds at Lee Valley a matter of days ago.
Bolarinwa’s mark rounds off an unstoppable two months that has seen him win the European Youth Olympic trials, the England U20 championships and the English schools’ championships.
And the Cambridge Harrier has vowed to complete his remarkable journey by becoming the first Brit to take Youth Olympic gold in the Lion City.
“My training is going really well, I ran the fastest time in the world for a youth at the start of the month and that felt great,” said Bolarinwa.
“It is just great to be on such good form and in good shape heading to Singapore. Things couldn’t really be going much better.
“I’m going into it on the back of perfect preparation and great form, which couldn’t be better. I am bang on form and feeling good.
“Being able to go to the first Youth Olympic Games is incredible.
“It is the highest level I can compete at at the moment, so it is just going to be amazing.
“There is a really good team spirit and I can’t wait to get to know everybody else on the team a lot better of the course of the Games.
“It feels absolutely amazing to represent Great Britain too.
“I feel like I am going to compete in Beijing or something.”
Bolarinwa is one of 13 athletes on the 39-strong British team but is no stranger to international competition having travelled to Doha last December for the ISF World School Games.
The Thamesmead sprinter claimed silver in the Middle East and is adamant trying to keep himself to himself will see him claim gold this time around in Singapore.
“There are a few guys out there running good times but I just want to concentrate on my own form and I am feeling confident so that is all good,” he added.
“I’m looking forward to the week out there to prepare and to get used to the conditions because they’re so different out that I think I’ll need to get prepared quite thoroughly.
“I’ve been to Qatar before so I’m used to heat, but perhaps not the humidity on Singapore.”
Lloyds TSB are the proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games.
For more information, visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article