Georgia Holt ready to bounce back following GB frustration

Georgia Holt says learning first-hand from ‘grieving’ Nekoda Davis is the best way to bounce back from her own sporting heartache.

The Melton Mowbray cycling star took part in a special Zoom mentoring session with the 2014 Commonwealth judo champion just days after missing out on a place in the Great Britain team.

And decorated Davis suffered a similarly crushing setback earlier this year, being forced to withdraw from this summer’s Olympic Games after the impact of a concussion sustained in 2019.

Holt was hand-picked as one of three young athletes – who are all supported by Entain and SportsAid – to take part in the 90-minute session and hopes engaging with Davis can catalyse her recovery.

The 20-year-old said: “It definitely opened my eyes to a different perspective.

“She was refreshing – to know she is having a hard time as well and was still able to give that kind of advice is quite a big thing.

“Some of the things she said overlapped with what I’d been told in the past, and everything she said just seemed to make sense, I agreed with and learned from.”

On her own recent experiences, Holt added: “They came to a decision not to select me, which has just been dreadful

“I was just like: ‘what, it makes no sense’. But they’ve made their minds up and there’s no point trying to change it. It just stung a bit.

“I’ve been warming up for training and have a big block starting this week. I’ve just got to get on with it now.”

Holt’s career in the velodrome is financially supported by Entain – owner of Ladbrokes and Coral – and SportsAid’s partnership that helps her access funding for training, travel and

equipment.

The Leicestershire star is studying Biomedical Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University and trains at the National Cycling Centre – also based in the city.

Entain is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid.