Champion cyclist Pendleton to become first Olympian to host Team GB Ball

Victoria Pendleton will become the first Olympian host of the Team GB Ball ©BOA

Two-time Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Victoria Pendleton will co-host the British Olympic Association’s (BOA) Team GB Ball next Wednesday (September 9).

A major promotional and fundraising event building up to next year’s Games in Rio de Janeiro, the event is billed as an opportunity for fans to “rub shoulders with their Team GB heroes and help support Olympians on the journey to Rio 2016 and beyond”.

Pendleton, who last week placed second in her first race as a jockey after switching sports from cycling following her retirement after London 2012, is set to become the first ever Olympian to host the Ball.

She will feature alongside television presenter Mark Durden-Smith for an “evening of entertainment and auctioning at London’s Royal Opera House".

Others in attendance will include the likes of diver Tom Daley, four-time gold medal winning sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, gymnast Beth Tweddle and five-time champion rower Sir Steve Redgrave.

Victoria Pendleton celebrates after winning keirin gold at London 2012 ©Getty Images

“I’ve been to a fair few Team GB Balls before as a competitor and I have always wanted to give hosting a try," said Pendleton.

“With so many other Olympians coming at least I will be amongst friends when up there on stage in front of everyone.

“As well as introducing athletes, it will also be great to be involved in the fundraising side of the night.

“That’s a really important part of the Ball, helping the British Olympic Association support the athletes and take a team to the Olympic Games.

“I have benefitted massively from the support of the BOA over the years and it’s great to have a National Olympic Committee that’s so forward thinking.

“It certainly helped give us as athletes the advantage during London 2012 so I’m looking forward to supporting that on the night.”

Considered among the greatest female sprint cyclists in history, Pendleton won the individual sprint title at Beijing 2008 before claiming keirin gold and sprint silver four years later in London.

She then made a highly publicised switch to horse-racing, finishing second on Royal Etiquette at Ripon racecourse in North Yorkshire last weekend, having held the lead earlier in the race.

Remaining tickets for the Team GB Ball can be found here, while details of items up for sale in the auction can be found here.