Gravesend student has 2012 in sights

10:43am Thursday 10th April 2008

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KATE French is aiming for Olympic gold medal success in the modern pentathlon in 2012, writes Dan Coombs.

Kate, 17, is already an international champion, winning gold at the Youth A World championships in South Africa last year.

This year the promising talent from Meopham, Gravesend, is looking to build on the success by achieving positive results in the European and World Youth championships.

The modern pentathlon consists of swimming, fencing, shooting, cross-country running and riding.

Kate said: "It was the riding which got me into the sport originally.

"Then I was doing biathlons and my friends and teachers encouraged me to get into modern pentathlon.

"I started it five years ago and have gone on from there.

"My favourite part is the riding. I found the swimming tough a couple of years ago, but since then I've kicked on and really improved and got it up to a top level.

"Winning gold in South Africa last year was definitely my proudest moment and it was also the toughest, competing in the heat and high altitude."

Kate's successful foray into the sport has seen her become part of UK Sport's Talented Athlete program, which gives her access to lottery funding and coaching to aid her development.

She explained: "We meet up every year and sit down to review the progress I have made and set targets with the aim of reaching 2012.

"I'm on track at the moment so I'm just going to keep going and I'd really like to do well at this year's championships.

"It's a great sport socially too as I've got to meet people from all over the world.

"There were four of us girls who competed in South Africa and it was a great experience.

"I've also competed in the Canary Islands, which was fun."

Modern pentathletes are required to have top levels of fitness as all five events take place in just one day.

Britain has a good record in the sport, winning gold and bronze in Athens and will be looking to continue the success story at Beijing this year.

In 2012 the event will take place across London from the basketball arena, the aquatics centre and finally the cross country finale in Greenwich Park.

As well as her sporting success, Kate is currently studying for her AS-Levels and going about normal teenage life.

She added: "My education is still important to me.

"Ultimately I want to go to university, which is another ambition of mine, but it would have to fit around my sport.

"To compete in London at 2012 would simply be amazing. It's what I want."