LIPHOOK sprint queen Olivia Breen will compete in three events at September’s Rio Paralympics after making the Team GB squad.

It meant a double celebration for the Sky Academy Sports Scholar who found out on July 26 – her 20th birthday – that she will be taking part in her second Paralympic Games.

Olivia, who won a bronze medal in the 4x100m relay at the London 2012 Games when she was only 16 years old, will also take part in the long jump and is on the shortlist for another dash at the relay in Brazil, with the action on September 7-18.

The 54-strong British Paralympic Athletics squad was chosen following the IPC grand final in London’s Olympic Stadium, where Olivia finished fourth in the 100m thanks to an impressive personal best.

Born with a meningitis-type illness leaving her with cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and some learning difficulties, Olivia said: "I am so happy to have been selected for Team GB.

“I’ll be in the long jump, 100m and, hopefully, the 4x100m relay at my second Paralympic Games.

“It has been a journey of highs and lows and I couldn’t have done it without the support of the Sky Academy Sports Scholarship.

“Knowing Sky believed in me and my ability has meant so much, especially when things haven’t been going to plan.

“I’d also like to thank my coaches, my family, my boyfriend and friends for all their patience and understanding.

“I’ll be working hard to ensure I am at my best when I get to Rio and hopefully bring back some silverware to make all those who have been there for me proud. Let the Games begin!”

Olivia is currently training at Loughborough Sports Centre, the main training centre for Team GB athletes, ahead of the Rio Olympics and Paralympics.

She moved back home to Liphook this summer, after finishing at Oaklands College in St Albans, Hertfordshire, and now has qualifications in sports coaching, fitness and development. While at college she met her boyfriend TJ, a 20-year-old rugby player, who has been "very supportive" during her training for the Rio Olympics.

Olivia’s mum, Helen, said: “At London 2012, she was the youngest in the Paralympic Team GB, now she is a veteran. She has achieved a lot in her life already and at 20 she is taking part in her second Paralympic Games. I don’t think she realises how amazing that is.

“We have spoken about the Zika virus and advised her about covering up, and using lots of Deet repellant, and wearing long sleeves.

“But as an athlete she will be wearing shorts and sleeveless tops to race in.

“Livvy is not that concerned with it and she is certainly not thinking of getting pregnant any time soon.

“But she is aware of the Zika virus and the fact that it is carried by a daytime mosquito. We as parents are not that worried about it – her twin brother Dan is a bit more thoughtful, but I am sure she will be all right.”

Health officials in Brazil said at the weekend the risk of Zika virus infections at the Olympic Games in Brazil is low and has been overcome.

Rio de Janeiro’s health secretary Daniel Soranz said Zika should not deter travellers from coming to the Games, as cases of the virus had dipped significantly in recent months.

Mum Helen, dad Michael and brothers Dan and Jack are all booked to fly to Rio in early September to support Olivia, who will be heading to Belo Horizonte, the holding camp for the British Olympic Team, on August 26, before transferring to the Olympic Village in Rio, on September 4.

She will be competing in the 100m heat on September 8, followed by the 100m final on September 9 if she qualifies, as well as the long jump on September 11 – all will be held at the world famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, which seats more than 74,000 spectators.

Helen added: “The 4x100m relay takes place on September 16 – but Livvy is not sure yet if she will be running. There are three girls in her class and only two will be chosen to run the relay.

“Livvy will not find out if she has been selected to run in the relay until the day before or possibly on the day itself. The team is very competitive now – very different from the London Olympics four years ago.

“Hopefully she will do well and enjoy the experience. Luckily she has great friends on the team.

“She is scheduled to stay for the whole period of the Paralympic Games and due to take part in the closing ceremony on September 18.

“After the Games, Livvy is having a month off to catch up with her boyfriend TJ. She loves to go partying and clubbing and be a 20-year-old girl, but has had to put all of that on hold to train for the Rio Games.”

In April, Olivia was chosen to launch the Team GB kits together with Tom Daly and Jessica Ennis-Hill, designed by word-famous fashion designer Stella McCartney alongside Adidas.

The kit, which took two years to create, features a new British coat of arms which acts as a symbol across the two teams and multiple sports.

To celebrate her birthday last month, and her selection for the Rio Olympics, Champney’s Forest Mere invited Olivia for a spa day at the Liphook resort.

She later tweeted: “Thank you so much @champneys for such a good stay and spa! Loved it! Really enjoyed a relaxing day!”