Jenna Randall and Olivia Allison have been selected to represent England in Synchronised Swimming at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Commonwealth Games England has announced today.

Olympians Randall and Allison will feature in the Commonwealth Synchro programme as they look to take on the might of Canada and Australia in the Duet and Solo – Randall’s sister, Asha, has been named as reserve.

Jenna Randall won silver in the Solo in Melbourne in 2006 whilst Randall and Allison just missed out on medals in the Duet by finishing fourth. The girls will be aiming to show the world how far they have come with strong performances in Delhi.

National Performance Director Biz Price commented: “Jenna and Olivia are the most experienced athletes on our team and they will be able to use their knowledge from both the Olympics and World Championships to their benefit in Delhi.

“This will be their second Commonwealth Games.  Jenna is the defending silver medallist in the Solo event and Jenna and Olivia placed fourth in the duet event in 2006.  Our aspirations for success are much higher for these Games.

“Although our preparation for this competition hasn’t been ideal, we have had problems with injuries, and the athletes will face tough competition from the likes of Canada and Australia - I believe we will overcome our challenges and return home with medals in both events.”

Randall is excited to be returning to the Commonwealth Games: “I am really excited about being selected for the Commonwealth Games. I really enjoyed competing in Melbourne and I think Delhi will be great too.

“Olivia and I have a lot more experience than in 2006 and I really think we are in a better position now. We have been training hard and I think we should get the benefits from that in Delhi when we compete.”

Craig Hunter, Chef de Mission for England in Delhi, said:  “I’m delighted to welcome Jenna and Olivia into the team.  Anyone who saw the recent BBC Programme, Olympic Dreams, will know how hard they work to achieve their goals. We wish them every success in Delhi”.

Synchronised swimming made its Commonwealth Games debut in Edinburgh in 1986 and has appeared at every Games since then, making its seventh appearance in Delhi.
 
England synchronised swimmers have medalled at all six Games to feature the sport to date, but a gold medal has so far eluded them.
 
The England Synchronised Swimming Selections:
Olivia Allison (duet) – DOB: 13/02/90 – Born: Plymouth – Lives: Aldershot
Jenna Randall (solo and duet) – DOB: 20/09/88 – Born: Ascot – Lives: Camberley

Reserve:  Asha Randall – DOB: 06/04/90 – Born: Ascot – Lives: Camberley
 
The 2010 Commonwealth Games take place in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010. They will feature 17 sports - archery, aquatics (swimming, synchronised swimming & diving), athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby 7s, shooting, squash, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. With the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Commonwealth Games England is entering a breath-taking four years of sport.

Commonwealth Games England (GCE) is the organisation responsible for selecting and organising England's team at the Commonwealth Games. England finished second to Australia on the medal table at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games with 36 golds, 40 silvers and 34 bronzes.

Sport England is responsible for building the foundations of sporting success, by creating a world-leading community sport system of clubs, coaches, facilities and volunteers. Their focus is growing and sustaining the numbers of people taking part in sport and improving talent development to help more people excel.

For further information about  Commonwealth Games England please contact the Commonwealth Games England press  office at Matchtight Ltd on (01225) 443 998 or 07831 755351 or see the CGE’s  website at www.weareengland.org


For further information about Synchronised Swimming or for pictures of the selected swimmers in action please contact Gemma Field in the ASA press office:  [email protected]