Today the British Olympic Association (BOA) officially received and confirmed the first five athlete slots for Team GB for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
The five slots are for a women’s curling team, courtesy of the World Championship win in Latvia this past weekend by Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams and Claire Hamilton supported by alternate Lauren Gray and coaches Rhona Martin and David Hay. This means they become only the second Scottish female team to be crowned world champions, following the 2002 success by Jackie Lockhart's team.
British Curling will, in due course, nominate to the BOA the athletes who will take up these five slots.
Said Mike Hay, BOA Head of Sport Engagement:
“Congratulations to Eve and her team. This is a fantastic win for such a young team, Eve has become the youngest ever skip to win the Worlds. It’s a great way to end the winter season, with the first five athlete slots secured for Team GB for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. The men’s curlers of course have a chance to boost this number when they compete in the World Champs in Victoria, Canada 30th March - 7th April.
“However, expect plenty more next season as we believe Team GB will number about 50 athletes at the Winter Olympics in Sochi next year.”