Torbay Athletes compete in the British Olympic Trials

Torbay teenagers Olivia Hayes and Joshua Taylor flew the local flag in the British Olympic Trials in Manchester over the weekend.

Both qualified after recording superb times at the Devon Schools' Track and Field Championships, where Olivia achieved a time of 11.99 for 100m – a personal best which broke the Devon Schools Record from 2011. 

Taylor competed in the 110m Hurdles after he ran a PB 13.72 at the SW Schools Champs last week, easily beating the British Champs standard of 14.80.  

Unfortunately, the Torbay twosome were unable to record the required times to reach their respective finals, Joshua finishing fourth in his hurdles heat with a time of 14.54, while Olivia was seventh in her 100m heat with a time of 12.20.

Olivia’s sporting journey started when she was 12 years old, after being invited to athletics competitions at Exeter Arena through her school. After success in the events, she was encouraged to join Torbay Athletics Club in 2019.  

A career in athletics is Olivia’s dream, yet she knows how competitive it is, and how there is an element of uncertainty due to possible injury, so she is sensibly continuing her education at South Devon College. 

"My dream is to be able to have a sporting career, however it is very uncertain what level I will achieve, so my Travel and Tourism qualification will come in very useful and I will also look at jobs in that sector,” she said. 

Jordan Thomas, sports coach at South Devon College, said: “We are delighted to be able to provide Olivia with the opportunity to represent South Devon College.  

“We are so proud she broke the Devon Schools’ 100m record ahead of the British Championships at the end of June! We are incredibly proud of her achievements and believe she has a great future in athletics.”