OLYMPIC athlete Samantha Murray has achieved another victory — as she took gold in the pentathlon photo of the year competition.

An emotion-filled photograph of the 22-year-old Clitheroe silver medallist took poll position in an online vote.

The modern pentathlete star received more than 1,500 votes — more than half of the total of hits.
The 20 photographs vying for the gold were taken by photographers during last summer’s games and capture a range of emotions shown by the athletes during their event.

Mum Deborah said: “It’s an excellent way to end a fantastic year.”

Olympic star champions dream grant

OLYMPIC heroine Samantha Murray is urging budding Ribble Valley sporting, musical and stage stars to follow in her footsteps and apply for a borough grant to achieve their dreams.

The Clitheroe modern pentathlete received small sums from the council’s sports and arts excellence grants scheme for ten years from the age of 12 on her way to a London 2012 silver medal.

Now the 23-year-old hopes a new generation of young sportspeople and performance artists in Ribble Valley will seek the cash for equipment, tuition and coaching from the £3,500 pot for the 2013 awards.

She said: “It’s a great scheme. It’s quite small sums from £50 to £300 but they are available annually. They really help you on the  way.

“It really made a difference to me and my parents and helped me go from grass roots level to elite athlete. I would urge any young person with ambitions in sport and the arts to apply.”
The deadline for applications in Friday, February 1.