Twins make a splash for GB

WARRINGTON-born twins Carol and Helen Galashan have been selected to represent Great Britain at this year’s World University Games in Belgrade next month.
The pair, who both study Sport and Exercise Science at Leeds Met University are the only British representatives in diving at the games and will compete together in the 10m platform synchro event.
The girls were gold medallists in the 2009 British Diving Championships and are keen to use the university games as a step towards representing Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
Former gymnasts, Carol and Helen retired after competing in the gymnastics event at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The inspiration to try their hand at diving came after the twins spotted an ex-gymnast diving at the Melbourne Games. Since the switch the twins have excelled with many domestic and international honours.
On their selection for the Belgrade team, the twins said:
“To be competing on the world stage in a multi-sport event is very exciting for us. We are greatly looking forward to the whole atmosphere of the games including the athletes’ village and the opportunity for us to compete outdoors.
“Our hopes for the games are to enjoy the event and gain valuable experience competing in a major event. With only being involved in diving for two and a half years it is a great opportunity for us to compete on the world stage which will help us in our development and our journey to London 2012.”
Competing in the 10m platform synchro event, the twins will have a distinct advantage with a natural understanding of each other that other competitors can spend years training to achieve.
Carol said: “Competing with each other is something we have always dreamed of.
“To be in a sport together, working as a team to achieve our goals is incredible. To have the opportunity to compete in the World University Games together is the best feeling ever and is very exciting”
The girls will compete on July 6 at the Republic Institute of Sport – an outdoor 1500-capacity arena.