St Mary’s University alumnus Elliot Giles’ maiden Olympics didn’t start how he expected it to when British Airways lost his luggage en route to Rio last week.
The 22-year-old was forced to borrow kit, setting him back in his final preparations in the lead up to his first ever Olympic race today.
Myself & @ElliotLeviGiles have one of our Olympic Luggage missing @british_Airways. We've been here since Saturday and need our Olympic Gear
— Bianca Williams (@BiancaaWills) August 2, 2016
Giles will be counting his lucky stars he even made it to Rio after suffering a nearly career ending motorcycle accident in 2014 with resultant reoccurring injuries.
The 800m athlete found himself in with a fighting chance of making the Games after his exceptional comeback and victory at the British Championships in June 2016 where he raced a personal best of 1:47:21 — just short of the 1:46.00 Rio 2016 800m qualifying standard.
After a discretionary selection Giles received his first GB vest and senior international call-up.
Shortly after, he was also selected to represent GB in the European Championships in Amsterdam in July.
An impressive performance in the European rounds saw Giles run a personal best and an Olympic qualifying time of 1:45.54 in the final — while picking up his first international bronze medal.
The young rising star told the Daily Mail he is reluctant to make any predictions of his own.
He said: “After everything I’ve been through I’m just delighted to be going to the Olympics.”
Giles forms part of an 80-strong track and field team for the Rio Olympic Games which also includes reigning champions Jess Ennis-Hill, Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford.
