Scott named in Para-Cycling squad (From Halesowen News)

Scott named in Para-Cycling squad

5:44pm Wednesday 27th June 2012 in Sport

Halesowen track cycling star Helen Scott is set to realise her Paralympic dream.

On Tuesday, the 21-year-old was named in the 18-strong British Paracycling squad for the London games, which starts on August 29.

Scott, a member of Halesowen Cycling Club, is the able-bodied tandem pilot for Aileen McGlynn in the Blind/Visually impaired category.

The duo will be in the medal hunt — having claimed three silver medals at February’s world championships.

She said: “I’m so excited to be selected for my first Paralympic Games, and the fact that it’s a home Games makes it even more special.

“We’re making each training session count now in the run up to the big day.”

Scott joined British Cycling in 2008 as an under-23 sprint academy rider and was a national champion in the team sprint along with Halesowen team-mate Jess Varnish in 2009.

Britain’s Para-Cycling team brought home 20 medals — including 17 golds — from the Beijing Games and finished top of the medals table.

Speaking at the team’s unveiling, performance manager Gareth Sheppard said: “We’re taking our largest ever team to the London Games and are looking forward to defending the many titles won in Beijing.

“It’ll be tough trying to equal 17 gold medals and our athletes realise the expectation on their shoulders.”