Holly Bradshaw: The athlete who will be flying the Olympic flag not just for GB, but for Chorley too.

Chorley has every right to be proud of Holly and the Guardian is very happy to include the athlete in our Chorley 150 countdown.
Holly poses for photographs after setting the new national record at Manchester Regional ArenaHolly poses for photographs after setting the new national record at Manchester Regional Arena
Holly poses for photographs after setting the new national record at Manchester Regional Arena

We'll all be waiting excitedly for the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to start this summer after being delayed by the pandemic.

And we'll be able to see Chorley's own, and the UK's number one female pole vaulter, Holly Bradshaw show,us what she can do.

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To mark 150 years of the Chorley Guardian, we're featuring stories about inspirational people, places that we love, and community groups.

Holly Bradshaw celebrates after setting a new British record in the Women's pole vault final during day two of the Muller British Athletics Championships at Manchester Regional ArenaHolly Bradshaw celebrates after setting a new British record in the Women's pole vault final during day two of the Muller British Athletics Championships at Manchester Regional Arena
Holly Bradshaw celebrates after setting a new British record in the Women's pole vault final during day two of the Muller British Athletics Championships at Manchester Regional Arena

Holly definitely deserves a place in the Chorley 150.

Holly Bradshaw, who comes from Euxton, has the chance to go for gold at the delayed games.

The athlete has said that having a year of downtime may prove beneficial to her as an athlete long term.

Indeed having struggled with injuries during the early part of her career, the former Parklands High School pupil revealed that she had already been thinking about altering her plans and prolonging her career.

We're asking Chorley Guardian readers to nominate 150 reasons to celebrate Chorley to mark the Guardian's 150th birthdayWe're asking Chorley Guardian readers to nominate 150 reasons to celebrate Chorley to mark the Guardian's 150th birthday
We're asking Chorley Guardian readers to nominate 150 reasons to celebrate Chorley to mark the Guardian's 150th birthday
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Pole vaulter Holly Bradshaw smashes national mark to lead the field performances...
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Speaking when the Games were initially postponed last year, Holly said: "The training I was doing before the lockdown was really good.

"I think I am not going to lose the benefits of that training and in a way this year now gives my body a bit of downtime and then I can go until 2022.

"All I know now is that 2021 is going to be a really big year for me."

Holly Bradshaw in actionHolly Bradshaw in action
Holly Bradshaw in action

And so it has proved to be.

Holly smashed the records at the British Championships in June.

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Having made clearances of 4.55m and 4.70m at the second time of asking, she then moved on to 4.83m to break her British outdoor record.

A subsequent clearance of 4.90m was an outright British record and obliterated her nine-year-old indoor mark of 4.87m.

Holly said at the time: “I know it will take anything between 4.80m and 4.95m to take a medal in Tokyo and I know I can be in the mix with six or seven others.

"I just need to stay healthy.”

Holly's place has now been confirmed in the Olympics team.

Chorley 150 countdown

If you'd like to nominate someone to be part of this Chorley 150 series featuring inspirational people, places that we love, or special moments in the life of the borough, then let us know.

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