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Rio 2016: 21 athletes from Loughborough College set to compete as Olympic games officially begins

Posted: 6th August 2016 - 9:43am
Rio 2016: 21 athletes from Loughborough College set to compete as Olympic games officially begins

The 31st Olympic Games has officially begun following last night’s Opening Ceremony at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro – with 21 athletes from Loughborough College set to compete over the next 16 days in Brazil.

Day One gets underway with the historic return of rugby to the Olympic programme and as the sevens format makes its debut at Rio 2016, former student Claire Allan is part of the squad with current Loughborough College student Megan Jones travelling reserve.

Team GB’s women will take on Japan and hosts Brazil in the first of two days of pool matches before Monday’s finals.

The day also sees Team GB's women's hockey side take on Australia in their opening pool match with London 2012 bronze medallist and former Loughborough College student Nicola White part of the 16-strong squad.

Defending Olympic Champion Andy Murray led the Team GB delegation into the ceremony – the biggest travelling delegation since Barcelona 1992 with the 366-strong team set to compete across 23 sports.

Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix