Youth Olympic Festival selection 'dream come true' for Sheffield teenager
The youngest member of Team GB at a major international winter sports competition has called her selection a "dream come true".Figure skater Leilah Patten, 14, is one of 20 young people who will compete at the Bakuriani 2025 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) from Sunday. Leilah, from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, started ice skating at the age of five, with the teenager hoping to pursue the sport as a career.Discussing her trip to Georgia for the event, she said: "I have to pinch myself every day."
She decided to give the sport a go after her family moved to Dubai, with her trainer recognising her early talent on the ice. "I fell in love and haven't stopped," she said.She recently took part in the International Skating Union Junior Grand Prix in the Czech Republic, and won gold at the British Figure Skating Championships.Over 1,600 athletes from 48 countries will be joining her at EYOF.
"I don't really know what to expect, but I'm going to try and deliver what I'm doing in practice and what I've been working hard for," she said."There's some high moments, but also some lower moments when I realise what I need to work and improve on."EYOF will see participants aged between 14-18 take part in 10 events, including alpine skiing, curling, ice hockey and snowboarding. Speaking about her plans for the future, she said: "I've always dreamed of skating for my whole life, I just want to revolve around skating."Charlie Burn, Team GB chef de Mission, said: "It will be the first time many of our young athletes experience the Olympic movement and is an invaluable opportunity for them to develop in an international competition of this level."Team GB has a great history of youth athletes taking part in an EYOF and going on to become senior Olympians."Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
I trained with Olympians at a luxury resort — it wasn't what I expected
I've woken up in Turkey with the blazing sun giving me a false sense of hope. I won't be grabbing a flamingo floaty and wearing a bikini. Instead, I'm in workout clothes to begin four days of gruelling training with Olympic champions at the ultra-luxurious, all-inclusive Anda Barut resort in Didim, on western Turkey's Aegean coast. Can these decorated sporting giants whip me into shape? They'll certainly deserve a medal for trying. I ease into the week with a walk alongside former decathlete Daley Thompson. We chat as we stroll just outside the grounds of the hotel, feeling dwarfed by its size — and the challenges that await me over the next seven days. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. 'I am slowing down because I used to do all the running,' Daley laughs as Paula Radcliffe's running group sprints past us. I make a mental note that, in a day or two, that will be me. Now that my legs are stretched, I'm feeling ready for my next class: Fitsteps with Ian Waite. A Strictly pro I am not, but I've always thought of myself as a good dancer. However, I was truly humbled after doing the Samba Whisk to Olly Murs for 45 minutes. I have a newfound appreciation of ballroom dancers. With all that moving and shaking, it's time for a refreshing iced vanilla latte with a sea view, but my moment of calm is interrupted by the booming voice of JE Thrive hosting their boxercise class nearby. Hearing what I'm going to be in for has put the fear of God into me, but I will rise to the challenge when the time comes. For now, I'm getting myself ready for a yoga class with the charming Leon Taylor. I've never quite managed to master the crow pose, but with Leon on my side, I have hope. I'm not perfect, but I feel like I'm getting the hang of it and, honestly, it's quite satisfying looking to my left and seeing the accomplished James Jordan struggling to keep his balance as a tree. With day one over, it's time to enjoy a dreamy dinner at the beachfront Mansion restaurant, but it'll be an early night as tomorrow, I'll be taking on the 5km run I've been dreading. It's only 8am, but it already feels like it's 30 degrees, and I'm concerned about how long I'm going to last in this heat; the Gate of Sun meeting point makes sense, now. I start strong up front with sprinters Paula Radcliffe and Dame Jessica, but it doesn't take long for me to fall back as we run around the bay of the Delice Peninsula. The blazing heat is getting the best of me, but I make it back to camp surprised at how much I genuinely enjoyed putting myself through a new challenge. I'm struggling to breathe, so it's time to stop and refuel on post-workout shakes and snacks with Chris Baber. The protein blueberry and chia smoothie goes down a treat. My action-packed morning continues with James and Ola Jordan's Dance Shred in the outdoor fitness space. Their class works every part of my core, and by the end, I'm starting to feel the burn, which can only be a good thing, I think. In the evening, I attend a glamorous cocktail party, dine with the athletes at the generous Zestful Bazaar buffet and manage to catch up with other retreaters, many of whom are regular guests on 'body' holidays. It's inspiring that some of them are twice my age, and I think, if they can do it, I can too. I slept like a baby, but every muscle in my body is on fire. Even sitting down makes me wince. Still, I'm not stopping now, and on the schedule this morning is the Sea Front Circuits. How bad could they be? 'I'm going to f**k you up,' Thompson barks at the large group of us standing in a huge circle at the Gate of Sun overlooking the Aegean Sea. Hundreds of sit-ups later, it's punishing, but the Sea Front Circuits have been my favourite activity so far. It feels like a warped school sports day for adults. At this point, I need some inspiration and ask Dame Jessica if she can share some wisdom. 'I'm more of a speed-based athlete, so the endurance side can be quite challenging,' she reassures me. 'Some people play a 5k down, but actually it's a hard distance. The key is just to build it up naturally. 'Be kind to yourself. Recovery and listening to your body are important.' With her words of encouragement, I'm all pumped up to attempt boxercise for the first time, undeterred from overhearing JE Thrive on day one. I give it my best shot and surprise myself with my strength as I channel Rocky Balboa. Sore from boxing, dancing, running and circuit-training, I dedicate the rest of the day to recovery, taking on board Dame Jessica's advice with the gorgeous surroundings of Anda Barut my playground — a grilled sea bream fillet at the Fish Camp is coming right up. It's my final day at Anda Barut, so I take it easy with one last yoga class and finally enjoy the highly-recommended spa while reflecting on all I've experienced over the past few days. I never thought I could enjoy working out as much as I have in Turkey, but perhaps the most shocking part is how welcoming everyone has been at the retreat. I've stumbled across the most supportive community. Is four days of training enough to change your whole outlook? In my case, yes, because it was a total shock to the system. It was humbling to meet these greats of sports, and their words of encouragement and golden tips will stay with me forever. More Trending Yes, it was exhausting and daunting. At times, it was painful. But it has changed my attitude towards healthy eating and keeping fit. Now, I want to exercise, rather than feeling like I have to. You never know if a holiday romance is legit until you leave the resort bubble and get back home. Well, I think this one is the real deal because, not long after I land, I sign up for my local Parkrun. Wellness Week has certainly changed my perspective on fitness, and I'm not mad at it at all. The closest airport to Anda Barut is Bodrum. Direct flights run from the UK, from London, Liverpool, Bristol and Manchester, with prices starting from £89 return in July. Alicia Adejobi was a guest of Anda Barut Collection and the Bayou Villas. For more information on Wellness Week 2026, visit their website. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The underrated Swiss lake town that's like Como without the crowds MORE: I visited the 'Santorini of Tunisia' with cool coffee shops, local art and flights from £76 MORE: I travelled Uzbekistan before it was 'cool' — go before everyone else does
North Wales Chronicle
7 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Carlos Alcaraz v Jannik Sinner thriller joins list of classic men's finals
Here, the PA news agency looks at five other memorable men's singles finals. Nadal came out on top 6–4 6–4 6–7(5) 6–7(8) 9–7 as two tennis greats went head-to-head in a final lasting almost five hours. Spaniard Nadal stormed into a two-set lead but Federer battled back with two tie-break victories. Rain delays played a part in building tension for a deciding set which Nadal edged 9–7 to claim his maiden Wimbledon title. One of the greatest? WATCH… Borg v McEnroe #Wimbledon final 1980… — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) November 7, 2014 Federer's clash with Nadal was championed as the greatest final since Borg beat McEnroe in 1980. In just under four hours, four-time champion Borg beat brash young New Yorker McEnroe 1-6 7-5 6-3 6-7 (16) 8-6. McEnroe would not go away, saving seven championship points during the match, but Borg eventually saw it through. Let's run it back to 2012, shall we? 🍿@DjokerNole v @RafaelNadal extended highlights 👉 #AusOpen — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) May 31, 2022 Djokovic claimed his third Australian Open title with a 5–7 6–4 6–2 6–7 7–5 triumph over Nadal in the longest final of the Open era. The five-hour 53-minute contest between the two top-ranked players at the time, beat the record set in the 1988 US Open final. The final set saw the two deadlocked at 4-4 before a Djokovic break of serve allowed the match to conclude in the early hours in Melbourne. Federer was beaten in the last major final of his career as world number one Djokovic toppled the second seed 7-6 1-6 7-6 4-6 13-12 in another near five-hour affair. The Serbian eventually claimed the deciding set in what is the longest Wimbledon final in history. #OnThisDay 2012 @andy_murray won Gold at the London #Olympics! 🇬🇧🥇 📽️ via @TeamGB — LTA (@the_LTA) August 5, 2017 Andy Murray put his Wimbledon final defeat to Federer a month earlier behind him, gaining revenge with a 6–2 6–1 6–4 victory to claim Olympic Gold. A home crowd roared Murray on to Team GB's first medal in the event since 1908 in a contest which sticks in the memory for the emotion of Murray's display and undoubted quality as he got past the then world number one.
Rhyl Journal
9 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Carlos Alcaraz v Jannik Sinner thriller joins list of classic men's finals
Here, the PA news agency looks at five other memorable men's singles finals. Nadal came out on top 6–4 6–4 6–7(5) 6–7(8) 9–7 as two tennis greats went head-to-head in a final lasting almost five hours. Spaniard Nadal stormed into a two-set lead but Federer battled back with two tie-break victories. Rain delays played a part in building tension for a deciding set which Nadal edged 9–7 to claim his maiden Wimbledon title. One of the greatest? WATCH… Borg v McEnroe #Wimbledon final 1980… — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) November 7, 2014 Federer's clash with Nadal was championed as the greatest final since Borg beat McEnroe in 1980. In just under four hours, four-time champion Borg beat brash young New Yorker McEnroe 1-6 7-5 6-3 6-7 (16) 8-6. McEnroe would not go away, saving seven championship points during the match, but Borg eventually saw it through. Let's run it back to 2012, shall we? 🍿@DjokerNole v @RafaelNadal extended highlights 👉 #AusOpen — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) May 31, 2022 Djokovic claimed his third Australian Open title with a 5–7 6–4 6–2 6–7 7–5 triumph over Nadal in the longest final of the Open era. The five-hour 53-minute contest between the two top-ranked players at the time, beat the record set in the 1988 US Open final. The final set saw the two deadlocked at 4-4 before a Djokovic break of serve allowed the match to conclude in the early hours in Melbourne. Federer was beaten in the last major final of his career as world number one Djokovic toppled the second seed 7-6 1-6 7-6 4-6 13-12 in another near five-hour affair. The Serbian eventually claimed the deciding set in what is the longest Wimbledon final in history. #OnThisDay 2012 @andy_murray won Gold at the London #Olympics! 🇬🇧🥇 📽️ via @TeamGB — LTA (@the_LTA) August 5, 2017 Andy Murray put his Wimbledon final defeat to Federer a month earlier behind him, gaining revenge with a 6–2 6–1 6–4 victory to claim Olympic Gold. A home crowd roared Murray on to Team GB's first medal in the event since 1908 in a contest which sticks in the memory for the emotion of Murray's display and undoubted quality as he got past the then world number one.
