The nominees for the March Athletes’ Athlete of the Month award have been revealed after another memorable few weeks for elite British sport.
In an athlete-decided award that celebrates both sporting success and personal accomplishments, the nominees will be voted on by their peers on the World Class Programme.
The shortlist comprises Ondine Achampong (gymnastics), Molly Caudery (athletics), Chris Grube and Vita Heathcote (sailing), and Lizzi Jordan and pilot Dannielle Khan (para-cycling).
First up, Ondine Achampong put in a remarkable performance at the British Championships by sweeping up four national titles. She collected golds in all-around, followed by floor, beam and uneven bars, later telling the BBC she’d worked to build her confidence and mindset from the start of the year.
Molly then made international headlines by becoming pole vault world champion aged 23. What went less reported was the string of injuries she managed to overcome beforehand, enjoying her first serious injury-free period in seven years after two operations on her Achilles in 2023.
Chris and Vita had only been partnered for eight months when they collected a silver medal at the World Championships and were then selected to represent Team GB at the Paris Olympics. That time contained illness and injury for both so limited their ability to train and compete, and with Chris coming out of Olympic retirement for a shot at 2024 while balancing a pro career with family life, the two sailors are putting in quite the shift.
Finally, Lizzi Jordan and her pilot Dannielle Khan both overcame illness to take gold in the women’s tandem time trial at the Para-cycling Track World Championships. Lizzi had only joined the World Class Programme six months before and the pair completed their first full-distance race together in qualifying – showing an incredible ability to form a partnership.
Elite athletes can vote for their Athlete of the Month by heading to their latest BEAA email, with the winner to be confirmed shortly.
Former elite athletes can get involved via the British Elite Athletes Alumni app – which they can register for here!
Good luck to everyone shortlisted!
