A KEEN Ulverston athlete has been given the opportunity of a lifetime after being selected to represent Great Britain on the world stage.

In June, Duncan Eley will travel to Austria to compete as part of Team GB in the European Triathlon Championship.

The 36-year-old Siemens Subsea manager is raring to go, saying it is everyone's childhood dream to represent your country.

He said: "All my life I've always dreamed of being a professional sportsman."

A childhood passion for running and swimming translated into Mr Eley transitioning into a triathlete as an adult.

With the strong sporting community in Ulverston, and its abundant links to road and water, it was an easy decision for Mr Eley to pick up the sport around four years ago.

He said: "There was a group of people at work who did triathlons, and I thought I'd like to have a go at that. They have a couple of triathlon schemes and once you have a bike, you are up and running, it all fell into place."

In order to qualify for this year's championship in Kitzbuhel, Austria, Mr Eley had to show he had what it took to compete by taking part in qualification events.

Each triathlon union which makes up the international community holds events for athletes wanting to take the next step up in competing.

Divided into different age groups, triathletes attempt to post their best times, which the best ultimately being selected to go through, and represent Team GB.

Mr Eley said: "I registered saying that I wanted to be considered for the team, I did an event in Shropshire last year in May, and I got through."

As well as the obvious health benefits, Mr Eley enjoys the sport for its social benefits. Competing alongside friends and colleagues is an added bonus when pushing yourself harder and faster than you did before.

He said: "It's a strange one, initially when you do a triathlon you don't know how it's going to be. But once I got a bike, I really enjoyed it, it's a very social sport."

When he flies out to Austria in the summer, he will be joined by his wife Rebecca, his children Isabella, nine, and Reuben, seven, along with his mum and dad.

He is looking forward to the event, but is understandably nervous too. He said: "I'm a mixture of nervous and excited, the thought of being able to represent your country for a sport."

He also wanted to thank his sponsors in Ulverston who support his endeavours, he said: "Thanks to JF Hornby as a sponsor, they've been really good to me."

Mr Eley will compete in the 35-39 age group category in Austria on Juny 18. He will be accompanied by his coach, and fellow Siemens employee Paul McKenny.

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