Young Kirkwall athlete is heading to the Olympic stadium

Thora Cant, a 14-year-old javelin thrower from Kirkwall, is to compete at the Olympic Stadium, ahead of the world’s greatest athletes, after being selected to represent Scotland at the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games finals.

The Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games is a multi-sport event for school-aged elite athletes that will take place from May 6-9. 1,600 young people will compete across 12 sports, six of which include disability competition. For this, its inaugural year, the Olympic Stadium, Velodrome, Aquatics Centre and ExCeL Centre in London will be among the venues hosting competitions.

A delighted Thora Cant said: “I am really looking forward to the whole event and am grateful to my coaches, family and school for all their support in getting me to the Sainsbury’s 2012 School Games.

“I feel privileged to be allowed to compete in the same place that all the world-class athletes will be performing in this summer. I am excited to think that I will be throwing at the venue where Olympic medals will be won a few months later.”