CHAMPION cyclist Paul Jennings, who is a first year student at the University of Central Lancashire, has his sights set on Atlanta.

And the university is helping him with a grant towards a training mountain bike and travel costs to the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.

The University Foundation, a charity set up to help students, has awarded Paul almost £500. "The grant will be very useful because while you're in training, you're not racing, so you can't rely on prize money for financial support," said Paul.

He took part in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, coming fifth and won a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games in Canada in 1994.

In between, he took part in three World Championships, and is now preparing for Olympic selection trials for Atlanta. This year the competition will be particularly stiff because the International Olympic Committee have thrown the games open to professionals as well as amateurs so there are at least twice as many people attempting to compete in the new Elite class.

Paul, a first year HND student on the Information Management and Marketing course, belongs to the university's cycling club. He is awaiting news about the Olympic selection on June 5.

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