Pole vaulter swaps barn for international stage
BBCPole vaulter Gemma Tutton will make her senior debut for Great Britain in the European Athletics Team Championships in Madrid.
The 20-year-old, coached by Richard Pilling, will be among the first to compete, with the women's pole vault opening the event in Spain on 26 June.
"I get to put on my country's vest and do the most fun sport ever and hopefully compete one day at the Olympics," she said.
Her training base is in the USA, but when she is in the UK she practises in a barn at the Iford Estate Farm in Lewes, East Sussex.
Farm manager Ben Taylor said: "It started in the pub, with David, Gemma's father, looking for a barn.
"He came to have a look and the rest is history."
The Lewes Pole Vault Group trains there weekly, with Mr Tutton one of the coaches.
He said: "When I realised Gemma was going to be good at it, I thought I should put back to the sport.
"We have a group of about 60 vaulters who are getting better and we have a few that will appear internationally."
Ms Tutton said: "No-one can ever find it, but inside it is the most vibrant pole vaulting community in the country.
"It's a great place to find confidence to be strong, to try pole vaulting."
She believes she is on course to make the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, which she said would be "the coolest thing ever".
"The Olympics is the dream, there's nothing like stepping out in front of a crowd who are passionate about it," she said.
"British fans are famous for being the most involved, incredible fans."
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