Healey secures Britain Olympic quota with semifinal win in Krakow

World number two Penny Healey has secured an Olympic quota place for Great Britain with a straight-set semifinal win over Italy’s Chiara Rebagliati at the 2023 European Games today.

Only two quotas for Paris 2024 were available to recurve women in the event in Krakow – the individual champion and runner-up.

But after Elia Canales beat Anastasia Pavlova in a double shoot-off in the first of the two semifinals, the quota place was guaranteed to the winner of the match between Healey and Rebagliati – with the other now on offer to the winner of the bronze medal match. This is because Canales has already qualified Spain an Olympic spot this week, courtesy of her win alongside Miguel Alvarino in the mixed team competition.

“I know it was on my mind going into the match,” said 18-year-old Healey. “But I didn’t realise it until they said it.”

A wry smile and a hug from coach Nicky Hunt was the extent of the initial celebration. But then, as Healey and Hunt left the arena, the stadium announcer broke the good news.

“I’m shaking and I’m about to cry,” she added.

Healey, the current world number two, will shoot against Canales for the European Games title later this afternoon.

There is one remaining Olympic quota place available in Krakow – which will go to the top two recurve men’s finishers tomorrow.