WSJ: Budget Woes Put Olympic Dream in Crosshairs (UK)

[Oz]

An extremely rare and interesting article was published in the Wall Street Journal's Thursday, June 16, 2009 issue (A11). The article has a color photo of an attractive female shooter in stance with an air pistol(!).

The article's point was in regard to the UK's inability to assist in training costs for Georgina Geikie due to the economic situation. Again, the real 'wow' for me is that there was an article which talked about a potential Olympic shooter in a mainstream publication like the Wall Street Journal!!!

One of the unintended take-aways from the article for me was that UK shooting athletes have to spend a LOT more money training for anything other than air pistol, because they have to travel to Switzerland to shoot powder-based arms. The UK's ability to compete with a good portion of the the world's athletes in shooting is extremely handicapped by it's own near-sighted and ineffective gun-control laws.

Regardless, it's a very interesting article. Curious if any TT UK readers have any insight into Georgina Geikie's background and/or potential. Or was she picked for this article because her picture would potentially attract more readers?

Also, is it time for UK Olympic shooting athletes to come to the US and train at their leisure?

Oz

[Bob-Riegl]

Yes that is a sad situation for the UK shooters---but don't get too comfortable because the UN and our current "administration" would like to put us in that exact same spot-----DISARMED----"Doc"

[David Levene]

Curious if any TT UK readers have any insight into Georgina Geikie's background and/or potential.

"Gorgs" as she likes to be known came to shooting (proper) about 5-6 years ago (from memory) from Modern Pentathlon.

She is the UK's number one AP40 and 25m Pistol shooter, holding the British finals records in both events.

The word "determined" barely describes Gorgs' attitude to her shooting; that it goes along with being a very popular person is much to her credit.

Why don't our top shooters train in the US? Basically because it's cheaper to go to Switzerland (return flights to Zurich well under 100USD are not uncommon).

[thruxtoncamshaft]

I'm a pom living in Australia. How do I apply to shoot for England at the Olympics? Thruxton.

[David Levene]

I'm a pom living in Australia. How do I apply to shoot for England at the Olympics? Thruxton.

The first thing to do is remember that England do not compete at the Olympics, GBR do.

The Pistol Selection policy is detailed here.

[Spencer]

I'm a pom living in Australia. How do I apply to shoot for England at the Olympics? Thruxton.

if you are ISSF registered (i.e. have an ISSF ID) from AUS, you are AUS until you get a transfer; if registered through GBR you are GBR until you get a transfer.

If you are not ISSF registered you had better get your skates on for a MQS and get selection through your NF.

Spencer