Team GB discus thrower Lawrence Okoye, put his place at Oxford on hold so that he could pursue his dream of competing in the London Olympic Games.
Discus finalist Okoye, won a place at St Peter’s College Oxford to read law, but decided instead to focus on training for the Games this year.
Yesterday, Okoye qualified for the final of the men’s discus competition automatically with a final throw of 65.28m, the fourth best distance of the field- proving his medal credentials, and putting him in with a definite chance to win a medal in tonight’s final.
Okoye said: “It was unbelievable, really tough. The standard this year is much higher than it’s ever been. It took a lot to get through, and I’m glad to get the job done.
“Tomorrow I have a bigger job to do with the big guys coming through. It’s going to be tough to get amongst them but I am ready to do it.
“The two years I’ve spent doing this would have gone down the pan if I didn’t get through.”
He added: “I will be ready come tomorrow.”
Alex Probodziak, President of Oxford University Athletics Club, said: “Lawrence must be very happy with his progress as an athlete. Let’s hope that there are many more successes to come for him.”
Okoye will be competing in the men’s discus final at 7:45 tonight in the Olympic stadium.
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