Burnham-On-Sea BMX cyclist Liam Phillips is making final preparations to fly out to compete in the Olympic Games in Beijing later this week.
Burnham teenager Liam, 19, who made the cut for Team GB earlier this year, flies out to China this Friday (August 15th) to represent his country in BMX cycling, which is making its Olympic debut this year.
“Any athlete that wants to be at the top of their game knows that the Olympics is the pinnacle of all sport so to me it’s a dream come true,” he told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“I leave on August 15th and arrive on August 16th, then I have a day off on the 17th, practise on the 18th and 19th and will race on the 20th and 21st.”
Currently training in the British Cycling HQ in Manchester, the two-time World and European Championship silver medallist says he is ready for the challenge.
“I am going into it with an open mind and really trying to put in a good performance,” he added.
“I have some goals set in my mind but I am going to go out and enjoy the experience and use it for valuable knowledge going into London 2012.”
Liam began riding aged five on the BMX track in Burnham-On-Sea and made his cycling debut for Great Britain at the 2005 European Championships in France. His sister, Charley, also rides BMX bikes and has competed at the British Championships. Town councillors in Burnham are planning an opendeck bus tour through the town for Liam when he returns.
.When to watch Liam on TV at the Beijing Olympics:
BMX Seeding Runs
Wednesday August 20th
Start: 2am BST End: 4am
BMX Quarter Finals
Wednesday August 20th
Start: 4:40am End: 5:48am
BMX Semi Finals Run 1
Thursday August 21st
Start: 2.08am End: 2.16am
BMX Semi Finals Run 2
Thursday August 21st
Start: 2.38am End: 2.46am
BMX Semi Finals Run 3
Thursday August 21st
Start: 3.08am End: 3.16am
BMX Final
Thursday August 21st
Start: 3.40am End: 3.45am
