The British Olympic Association (BOA) have today selected the bobsledders selected to compete for Team GB at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games next month, following yesterday’s skeleton announcement.
Brad Hall and Mica McNeill will pilot British crews in the 2-man, 4-man and women’s bobsleigh, with both having also represented Team GB at the last Games in PyeongChang four years ago.
Hall with be joined by Pyeongchang 2018 Olympians Nick Gleeson in the 2-man event, with Greg Cackett and Olympic debutant Taylor Lawrence chosen for the 4-man team and two-time Olympian Ben Simons selected as the travelling reserve.
Montell Douglas, who competed for Team GB at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in athletics, will team up with McNeill in the women’s bobsleigh with Adele Nicoll travelling as the reserve athlete for the women’s team.
Hall and his crew have enjoyed a stellar season so far, winning an incredible six medals on the World Cup circuit and another at the Olympic Test Event in China in October. Thirty-one-year-old Hall, Royal Marine Lawrence, Paratrooper Gleeson and former sprinter Cackett finished fourth in the 4-man world rankings and fifth in the 2-man as they recorded the country’s most successful men’s season since the 1990s.
Team GB Chef de Mission for Beijing 2022, Georgina Harland, said: “Today’s announcement is another step closer to bringing our whole team together for Beijing 2022 and an exciting moment for the selected athletes. What these crews have done on the World Cup circuit this season has been sensational and they’ll be hoping to take that form and also the success enjoyed at the test events into the Games and show everyone in the UK what they can do. With the Opening Ceremony just two weeks away I hope the athletes can really start to get excited for what will be a special moment in their careers.”
Speaking after the team was announced, Brad Hall, said: “I’m honoured to be selected to represent Team GB again and I know the rest of my crew feel exactly the same. We’ve had a great season so far and we’re hoping to carry that momentum into the Games.
“We said at the start of the season that we wanted to be competing with the best in the world on a consistent basis and we’ve shown that we can do that. The boys have regularly been among the best starters in the world, too, and we’re heading to Beijing full of confidence.
“We’re at the business end of the season and it’s now all about giving it everything we’ve got at the Olympics, knowing that we’ve got a realistic chance of coming home with a medal.”
McNeill, who registered Team GB’s best-ever Olympic result in women’s bobsleigh when she finished eighth four years ago, also made the World Cup podium this season as she and Nicoll won a maiden World Cup silver in Sigulda earlier this month.
“I am very excited to get onto the plane to Beijing next week for my second Olympic Games!” said McNeill, who won Youth Olympic silver in Innsbruck in 2012.
“It’s been a very different journey to the Games this time round but I’ve loved every moment of making it happen. I can’t wait to get back on the ice out there and represent Team GB.”
Sochi 2014 bronze medallist and Beijing 2022 Team Leader, Bruce Tasker, said: “It’s really exciting heading into an Olympic Games with teams producing their best results ever. You cannot ask more of an athlete than to be the best they have ever been and both teams have achieved record performances this year.
“The pandemic has thrown the teams huge challenges but the resolve and determination of the athletes has been inspiring. No hope has been lost and these teams that are already at a disadvantage with no home track to practice on continue to challenge for and win medals on the global stage. I am immensely proud of each and every one of them.
“The hard work and preparation has been done now. The teams know what they need to do and how – it’s just about execution of the plan, and I’m confident in their ability do that.”
Team GB will be competing in three disciplines at Beijing 2022 (2-man, 4-man and women’s bobsleigh), with each race taking place over four runs across two days.
The first two heats of the 2-man’s race take place on Monday 14 February from 12.05pm GMT and heats 3 and 4 follow at 12.15pm on Tuesday 15 February.
The women’s competition is scheduled for Friday 18 February and Saturday 19 February, with a 12pm GMT start on both days.
The 4-man competition begins at 1.30am GMT on Saturday 19 February before bringing the curtain down on the Games events at the same time on Sunday.
TEAM GB BOBSLEIGH TEAM
2-Man
Brad Hall
Nick Gleeson
Alternate: Greg Cackett
4-man
Brad Hall
Taylor Lawrence
Nick Gleeson
Greg Cackett
Alternate: Ben Simons
Women’s
Mica McNeill
Montell Douglas
Alternate: Adele Nicoll
With thanks to Team GB
