Team GB long jumper Lorraine Ugen set for Rio

Sport

Long jump British record holder - Lorraine Ugen is gearing up for her first Olympics and is aiming to jump into a medal position.

The 24-year-old south London athlete missed out on a place in the Team GB squad for London 2012 after failing to qualify by just 1cm. However, Lorraine says she hasn’t let past failures hold her back

She said: “I’m really excited about Rio this year. I was so disappointed about missing out on London 2012 because of 1cm. But I’ve used that as motivation and four years on I’m here, I’ve made it!”

Lorraine is currently in Texas, USA at the Fort Worth training camp - part of Texas Christian University (TCU) of which she is a graduate. She’ll begin her Olympic campaign on August 16th when the Women’s Long Jump qualifiers commence.

Her personal best is a British record for women after jumping 6.93m at this year’s World Indoor Championships in Portland, USA where she won a bronze medal. Her best outdoor performance is 6.92m which she achieved at the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix in May 2015.

“I’ve never been more ready than I am now. Mentally, emotionally and most importantly physically. The Bronze medal I got in this year’s World Indoor Championships really boosted my confidence. I know I have it in me to do well in Rio. I’ve prayed about it and I have faith that my practice has been going well and my body has been feeling good and ready to go.”

“If you had told me 10 years ago when I was just 14 and living in Thamesmead with my parents that I’d be in the Olympics right now I would have said you’re lying. I’ve always wanted to go but it’s crazy to think that I actually made it happen! I’m so happy to be part of Team GB.”

Lorraine’s track career has been gradual and steady in pace. While at Townley Grammar School, she started gymnastics but moved to athletics where she found her strength in long jump. She has been part of a series of local clubs in south east London where she learned her craft. Lorraine gradually worked her way through Junior and Under 23s championships before coming fifth at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and World Outdoor Championships in 2015. All this was achieved while studying at TCU. While in the United States, Lorraine also became a two-time National Collegiate Athletic Association champion (NCCA). She is now a part of Thames Valley Harriers Athletics Club in West London.

“Studying while training made me very disciplined. Of course my career means everything to me but so did my education, so it was very important for me to be able to balance the two well. Thank God, I did.”