A WINDSOR athlete admits she is heartbroken after a positive Covid test ended her Olympic dream.

Amber Hill received the news before she flew out to Tokyo, where she was due to compete in Sunday's qualifying for the women's skeet event.

The 23-year old finished sixth five years ago as a teenager but had set a world record score during qualifying for Tokyo.

"There are no words to describe how I’m feeling right now," she said.

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Slough Observer:

"After five years of training and preparation, I’m absolutely devastated to say that last night I received a positive Covid-19 test, meaning I’ve had to withdraw from Team GB’s shooting team.

"Although I don’t have any symptoms, I will now isolate as per the Government guidance.

"I will be back from this, but right now I need some time to reflect and take in what has happened.

"I would like to wish the best of luck to all of Team GB who are out in Tokyo, especially the shooting team who have supported me massively throughout my career."

Hill reached the Olympic final five years ago with her grandfather Bill Rogers in the stands, the emotional embrace that followed needed no words to explain.

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He died in 2019 and Hill had said he wouldn't be far from her mind in Japan.

She was just ten years old when he took her to her local shooting range because she didn’t want to watch her brother play rugby.

Within five years Hill had won her first World Cup medal, pipping another Tokyo hopeful, Dina Asher-Smith, to the BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year prize in the process.

That was the same year she met coach Joe Neville, her grandfather deciding she needed more expert guidance to turn youthful promise into podium potential.

Britain has a proud record of shooting success at the Games. Malcolm Cooper was a double Olympic champion in 1984 and 1988, Richard Faulds topped the podium 21 years ago in Sydney and Peter Wilson was one of the stars of London 2012.

But of the 46 medals won since 1908 in the sport, none have been claimed by a woman, though Seonaid McIntosh is also considered a top prospect after winning the 50m rifle world title in 2018.