Test of Patience
Luke must earn Rio spot but eyes medal for Willis
SCOTS s ai l or Luke Patience will have to requalify f or Rio — but has vowed to do everything possible to bring back a medal for stricken partner Elliot Willis.
Patience and Willis had already nailed down a spot in the 470 class when the l atter was diagnosed with bowel cancer late last year.
Although Aberdeen-born Patience was willing to wait for his team-mate, with whom he’d reached No 2 in the world rankings, the pair were forced to end their Olympic bid yesterday.
Patience, who has now teamed up with Chris Grube, said: ‘Clearly Elliot’s situation is one neither of us foresaw and I’m sad that we won’t be able to compete together in Rio this summer.
‘ The thoughts of all the team continue to be with Elliot in his ongoing recovery. For me, it’s absolutely the right thing to do to see through the work Elliot and I started out together.
‘I’m aiming to requalify for Rio with Chris and do the best job we can to bring home a medal.’
Team GB chef de mission Mark England, who announced five additions to the sailing squad yesterday, said: ‘It’s great to welcome five new athletes to Team GB and see our number of selected sailors grow further.
‘While it’s a great day for them, it’s hugely disappointing for both Luke and Elliot, and everyone at the British Olympic Association wishes Elliot the very best in his recovery.’
Team GB sailing boss Stephen Park added: ‘The circumstances surrounding the deselection of Luke and Elliot are obviously disappointing for everyone. However, as a team we knew we would be set a number of challenges in this journey to Rio 2016 and this is just one we have to deal with along the road.
‘Hopefully this doesn’t mark the end of Elliot’s Olympic journey and we look forward to seeing him back in the boat soon.’
Meanwhile, Royal Marine Chris Sherrington, who won gold f or Scotland in the 100kg+ men’s judo at Glasgow 2014, has come out of retirement in the hope of qualifying for Rio.
Having also competed in the London 2012 Olympics, Sherrington provided one of the i conic i mages of the Commonwealth Games when he stepped off the podium and proudly put on his Green Beret, before flying the Saltire flag high.
He retired from judo to focus on his career with the Royal Marines but recently found out he still has a chance of qualifying for Rio.
Despite not having competed in j udo since the Commonwealths, Sherrington took gold at the Swiss European Cup last weekend, beating all his opponents with an ippon.
In order to qualify for Rio, he needs to win two medals from the three possible Grand Prix events he has entered. ‘The Swiss Open was a good result for both myself and Royal Navy Judo,’ said Sherrington. ‘ I’m happy with the way I performed. However, this was just the first step of many to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games.’