Burton chosen for Rio Games

Tom Burton, 4 years ago, was training along with Tom Slingsby, making sure to save Australia’s one Laser London 2012 Games position, just to drop out as Tom went onto win the Olympic gold medal. Now, the twenty-five year old sailor would get his scope for the Olympic glory after he was today chosen on to the Australian Olympic Team for Rio 2016.

The Sydneysider joins 6 sailors on the squad: Will Ryan, Mathew Belcher, Nathan Outteridge, Iain Jensen, Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin. The present world No 1 Laser sailor, Tom Burton is rapturous to get Olympic selection.

He told that he spent the past 7 years sailing a Laser, whilst working part-time for a Southampton yacht charters company, targeting towards this aim and to get the scope to contend at an Olympic Games is a dream come true. This has not really sunk in. In their sailing squad, there have already been some others who have been selected earlier, therefore it would be great to join them in getting ready for the experience. Thinking back to earlier Olympics and watching the Opening Ceremony on TV and watching the Australian Team walk in and knowing that he would be a part of that team is something he is very excited about.

However, the qualification for Burton has not been smooth. He has contended against fellow Aussie Matt Wearn for the nation’s one laser spot at the Rio Games. He said that the battle was of the highest standard.