Surprise party for Bolton College's Olympic champion

Cycling champion Kiera Byland has set off for the Special Olympics World Games after receiving a very special send-off from Bolton College.

Before flying out to Abu Dhabi to represent Team GB in cycling, Bolton College sports student Kiera was surprised by tutors and fellow learners with a good luck party, organised by the College’s Curriculum Lead for Sports & Public Services, Mike Bruns.

Kiera is representing Great Britain in three cycling events - the 10K time trial and the 15K and 25K road races. She is hoping to add to her haul of medals, having already won three golds at the last Special Olympics in Los Angeles, and two golds at the INAS European & World Cycle Championships.

Kiera, 21, will join 7,500 fellow athletes, from over 190 countries, when she arrives in Abu Dhabi. To replicate the hot conditions in the United Arab Emirates, where temperatures are expected to hit 30C, Kiera has been practising cycling in her shed, with the heating cranked up!

No stranger to the spotlight, last week Kiera made appearances on the BBC’s Inside Out, BBC Breakfast and local BBC radio. Despite her busy schedule, she is also vice chair for the Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB) Athlete Input Council, an SOGB Health Advocate and chair of the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE) Athlete Input Council.  

Kiera said: “I was so surprised when I walked into the room and saw what the tutors had done for me. Everyone at College has been so supportive and flexible, making sure that my learning fits around my strict training schedule and all of my other commitments.”

Bill Webster, Principal of Bolton College, also presented Kiera with a bouquet. He said: “Kiera’s our very own Olympics superstar, so the least we could do was give her a send-off fit for a champion. We will be watching Kiera throughout the Games; she is a wonderful ambassador for sport and owing to her dedication and determination, we’re sure she will do incredibly well in Abu Dhabi.”

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