A COVENTRY athlete is determined to represent the city in the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris but needs the help of Observer readers to get there.
Alex Farquharson receives no funding from British Athletics and – excelling in the long jump – is hoping the community will help him fulfill his goal.
Alex was crowned UK Indoor Champion in February and his personal best is 8m 1cm, meaning he is 20th of all time on the British list.
His dream started back in primary school when he first jumped on a school trip and fell in love with the sport.
Alex said every athlete dreamed of going to the Olympics, but it never becomes a reality for most.
“It is everything to me. I think about it all the time, the further along a career the more doubts form whether they can make it, but for me, it is starting to become quite realistic.”
He needs £2,200 in funding to attend a specialised training camp aimed at refining his skills ready for the qualifications which take place this summer.
He told the Observer: “I have been training tirelessly for years, and the opportunity to represent Coventry and the UK at the Olympic Games is a dream I’ve held since I first stepped onto the track.
“To make this dream a reality, I need the support of my community.
“This training camp is crucial in refining my technique and pushing my limits to compete at the highest level.”
Alex currently works a full time job and said he was struggling to balance both training five times a week and working full time, which is why he was hoping to become a full time athlete.
The campaign to bolster Alex’s Olympic quest is welcoming contributions from individuals, businesses, and organisations across the city.
Anyone who can donate can visit: gofund.me/3d81710c – as we went to press yesterday (Thursday), almost £1,200 had been pledged.
