David Murdoch, who skipped his team (rink) to bronze at the World Championships in March this year will once again be joined by Tom Brewster, Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews and Michael Goodfellow, as they try to emulate such successes and more at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
Full athlete profiles can be found here
Murdoch made his Olympic debut at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games where he was not only the youngest member of the quartet, but also the skip. The team were edged out of a medal spot by the USA and finished fourth. Following this, Murdoch represented Team GB at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, where once again he skipped the team for his second consecutive Olympics. The men’s curling team placed fifth after losing their play-off match to Sweden. In 2013, skip Murdoch and the today selected rink won the bronze medal at the World Championships in Canada after finishing in 1st place during the round robin phase.
Tom Brewster was skip for the silver medal winning team at the 2011 and 2012 World Championships – where he was joined by current teammates Drummond, Andrews, Goodfellow - adding to the abundance of experience the Sochi 2014 Curling team will possess.
Commented Sochi 2014 Team GB Chef de Mission Mike Hay:
“Between them, the five athletes selected today to Team GB for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, have a mix of multiple national, European and world medals. Two time Olympian Dave Murdoch skips a successful team that has, in the last year alone, won the Scottish Finals, topped the round robin section of the World Championships to then go on to win the bronze medal. The five athletes are a talent and dedicated group and I think we should all be excited about the prospect of what they can achieve in Sochi next year.”
Said Dave Crosbee, Team GB Curling Team Leader and British Curling Performance Director:
“I’d like to congratulate all the athletes in being selected, and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements so far, achievements that have resulted in their selections.
“It is thanks to the support from a number of partners including British Curling, The Royal Caledonian Curling Club, UK Sport, the sportscotland institute of sport and the National Lottery that our curlers are as well prepared for a major Games as they ever have been.”
Commented David Murdoch:
“It's a huge honour to be selected for Team GB at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. This will be my third Games and I am looking forward to it immensely.
“A huge thank you must go to all the coaches and support staff at the sportscotland Institute of Sport who believed in me and guided me through the last few seasons. The medical staff has been exceptional in helping me through a career-threatening shoulder injury that required surgery and rehab over the last year.
“It's extremely inspiring to be part of such a promising team. We will go to Sochi believing in ourselves and every athlete that is part of Team GB, and support them all the way. Having met most of the Team GB athletes in the mix for Sochi I know every one of us is giving our final preparations everything we have.”
Said Tom Brewster:
“I’m thrilled and excited to have been chosen to compete for Team GB in Sochi. It’s taken many years for me to finally be selected and I can’t wait for the Games to start.
“The Olympics are so different from our normal curling events. At the Games we will be part of Team GB which will have 50 athletes from 11 different disciplines. Normally we would be a small team of five athletes, so I’m looking forward to being part of a larger team and cheering on our fellow athletes.
“I have been a competitive curler for over twenty years and have always had great support from my family. They have helped me through all the highs and lows and without their support I wouldn’t be in a position to be selected.”
Added Greg Drummond:
“Being chosen to represent Team GB in Sochi is what I've been working towards for the last four years and it feels awesome to know that the hard work is paying off. The Olympic Winter Games is the most prestigious event that curling competes in so it will be an honour to represent Team GB.
“I have been fortunate enough to have worked with some great people over the years and every one of them has helped me get to this stage in my career. I have also had some great team mates and without them I would not be in this position.”
Said Scott Andrews:
“It is a dream come true and a great honour to be selected to be part of Team GB and compete in my first Games in Sochi. The best part of being in a team is that you are with athletes that are all striving towards the same goal. We spend nearly every day together so it is great to share this experience with them.
“Both the sportscotland Institute of Sport and the National Lottery have been a major factor in my curling career so far and provided me with the means to train to my full potential.”
Commented Michael Goodfellow:
“I was excited and extremely proud to be chosen to represent Team GB at the Sochi Winter Olympics. My lifelong ambition is becoming a reality and I am now even more determined to continue to work hard to achieve my Olympic and sporting goals.
“Members of my team have provided me with support and encouragement throughout training and competitions, and it's a great feeling to accomplish and achieve goals together.”
Added British Curling Men’s Head Coach Soren Gran:
“I would like to congratulate all five players on their selection for Sochi 2014. The team has a perfect mix of experience and young spirit that will bring them great success at Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
“The Olympics are the finest event an athlete at world class level can be part of and all five have done a fantastic job to get selected.
“We are now getting close to the final stretch and the Games themselves and as Head Coach for these five athletes I know that world class games will be played in Sochi next February.”