5:10pm Friday 3rd July 2009
BEIJING Olympic silver medallist Heather Fell will lead the British challenge in the modern pentathlon world championships at Crystal Palace next month.
Fell is a member of the six-strong Great Britain team for the championships announced today at Crystal Palace, which will host the even between August 13 and August 17.
Two further men will be added to the team at a later date.
Last weekend Fell won the individual silver medal at the European Championships, as well as the team gold with Katy Livingston and Mhairi Spence, who also feature in the team for Crystal Palace.
The women’s team also includes 18-year-old Freyja Prentice, who finished 10th on her World Cup debut in Mexico City in March.
She is currently with the British team preparing to compete at the world junior championships, which get underway in Chinese Taipei on Monday.
Beijing 2008 Olympians Sam Weale and Nick Woodbridge lead the men's challenge.
Two further athletes will be added to the men's team nearer to the championships.
Jan Bartu, pentathlon GB performance director, said: “The world championships are the pinnacle of the year, particularly for us as we will be at home.
“We exceeded our expectations at the European Championships.
“There will definitely be teams that are stronger than us, but that will inspire us.
“Being at home means a medal is expected of us. We are definitely contenders in both genders and the ladies’ team will go to Crystal Palace as European champions."
The full British team is Heather Fell, Mhairi Spence, Freyja Prentice, Katy Livingston, Sam Weale and Nick Woodbridge.
News Shopper TV attended today’s squad announcement at Crystal Palace and spoke to Fell, Weale and Bartu.
Click on the video link above to see more.
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