British archer, 16, goes for gold in Paris – just two months after she had GCSE exams in her sights

It was just two months ago that 16 year old Meghan Havers was sitting her GCSEs exams.

Today she will be going for gold in Paris as part of Team GB as her proud parents photographer Steven and secretary Claire watch on.

The archer from Charnwood in Leicestershire said she was excited about the competition and planned to enjoy it as much as she could after picking up some tips from Olympic veterans Tom Daley and Adam Peaty in the athletes’ village.

Megan first picked up a bow and arrow on a camping holiday aged seven and beat her grandad.

She enjoyed it so much she asked her mother for lessons for her eighth birthday and her talent was soon spotted.

It was just two months ago that 16 year old Meghan Havers was sitting her GCSEs exams and now she competing in the Paris Olympics

British archer Meghan pictured sitting on an Olympic sign

She went on to compete for her county then internationally as a junior. The teenager had to juggle her schoolwork alongside selection for Team GB and took two of her exams in Croatia after spending the whole day from 7am until 8pm competing – winning team silver in the European Grand Prix event in June.

‘I sat three at home when I was at school and two in Croatia. I had to go back to the hotel to do them – I didn’t finish until gone 10 o’clock.’

The schoolgirl enjoyed her prom at South Charnwood High School in May with her best friends who were the only ones who knew her secret – that she would be on her way to Paris for the Olympics.

She said: ‘It was only me and my close friends who knew I was going to the Olympics but it hadn’t been officially announced yet so know one else knew so we were all just there celebrating me in my friendship group. It is cool to know when I go back to get my results everyone will have seen me on TV.

‘I get daily messages from my friends saying ‘show me this part of the village’ and ‘get a picture with this person’.

A young Megan pictured in 2018 on an Olympic sign

‘The village is so cool – I could stay here for ever. We have everything we need, free coffees free food. It is just the atmosphere is really awesome. Everyone is really friendly.’

And she met heroes diver Tom Daley and swimmer Adam Peaty. She told the Daily Mail yesterday: ‘I have been watching the Olympics all my life so I have seen Tom Daley and Adam Peaty on the telly and I had a picture with Tom and spoke to Adam today and it is amazing we are on the same level now.

‘They said just enjoy it, especially Tom Daley, he just said soak it all in it is going to be the best experience of my life.’

Megan, who trains by shooting more than 1,000 arrows a week, as well as doing yoga, said she is eager to get going today. ‘It doesn’t phase me, it is just another 70m target. I know it is the Olympics but it is my first Games, I have no expectations on myself I just want to enjoy it and soak it all in.’