Sayonara Tokyo

Jasper Fellows gets the lowdown on the Olympics from Matt Coward-Holley, Team GB Trap bronze medallist, and Steven Seligmann, British Shooting’s performance director

- Jasper Fellows

After a year’s delay and a lot of uncertainty, Tokyo 2020 did finally take place, beginning with the opening ceremony on 23 July.

“We’d been waiting five years for that moment,” said Steven Seligmann, British Shooting’s performance director. “It was a very special moment for everyone.”

“I was so happy that the Games were actually taking place,” said Team GB Trap shooter Matt Coward-Holley. “I felt very lucky to be able to compete at all.”

They were joined by the rest of Team GB’s shooting squad, Seonaid McIntosh, Kirsty Hegarty, and Aaron Heading, as well as a support network of coaches and British Shooting staff. However, there was one empty seat on the plane to Tokyo.

Absentee

Amber Hill, the world-beating Lady's Skeet shooter was noticeably absent. She had tested positive for COVID-19 the night before the team departed and was unable to go.

“Amber’s test result was incredibly disappointing,” said Seligmann. “She was in phenomenal form ahead of the Games and I believe she would have had the chance to do something really special. Thankfully, Amber has a great support network around her. She’s already eyeing up the President’s Cup in a few months’ time, so I am sure we will see her back in action soon.”

Coward-Holley added: “It was devastating to lose a member of the team but, for me at least, I knew the job I had to do. We had to acknowledge it and look to the task ahead.”