Elite athletes from across Britain are now voting for their March 2023 Athlete of the Month, facilitated by the British Elite Athletes Association.Four new athletes have been nominated for the award after achieving personal triumphs over the last few weeks, and one will be recognised by their peers on World Class Programmes.This month’s shortlist comprises: Charlotte Bankes (snowboarding), Gemma Collis (wheelchair fencing), Seonaid McIntosh (shooting) and Nina Sparks (para-snowboarding).Bankes won the overall Snowboard Cross World Cup for the second time at the end of March, having started the month by being crowned mixed team world champion alongside Huw Nightingale. Her phenomenal successes follow a near-career ending injury in 2011 and competing in pain for the next seven years.Collis won her first Wheelchair Fencing World Cup épée gold in five years to move top of the world rankings just days after straining her hamstring. She had intended to become a competitive triple jumper until developing complex regional pain syndrome, which nine years later led to amputation.McIntosh secured qualification for the 2024 Olympics with a silver medal in the 10m air rifle at the European Championships in Tallinn. She admitted to struggling in 2022 with illnesses and lost confidence, but began 2023 with World Cup gold in February before this March ensuring her spot in Paris.Finally, Sparks, a para-snowboarder, enjoyed a remarkable personal month which began two years to the day after being diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) – marked by winning the final Europa Cup Snowboard Cross race of the season. She then secured her first World Cup podium, became Europa Cup champion, and bagged silver and bronze in the World Championships.Elite athletes can vote for their Athlete of the Month now by heading to their latest BEAA email, with the winner to be confirmed across the BEAA’s website and social media channels shortly.Good luck to everyone shortlisted!|https://britisheliteathletes.org/athlete-support/|

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