Eurosport has announced its ’10 Future Stars in Sport’ to look out for in 2014 including an English snooker player, as well as three potential breakthrough athletes at set to feature in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, which kicks off today.
Norwegian skier Henrik Kristoffersen, German biathlete Laura Dahlmeier and German ski jumping sensation Gianina Ernst, who at 15 years old will become the youngest competitor in Sochi, are among 10 young prospects selected by Eurosport’s commentators and pundits for Eurosport Now!, a new publication to mark the broadcaster’s 25th anniversary.
Henrik Kristoffersen, 19, who won his first World Cup race last month in Schladming, Austria – an event televised by Eurosport – has the potential to become “the greatest slalom and giant slalom skier in the world,” according to Alexandre Pasteur, skiing commentator for Eurosport in France.
Eurosport’s Swedish biathlon commentator Tord Wiksten believes 20-year-old Dahlmeier has the temperament and shooting skills to take her to the top in the increasingly popular and competitive biathlon field, while Ernst is another one to watch in Sochi after being backed by German commentator Marc Rhode to hit even greater heights in 2014.
Meanwhile, English snooker player Shane Castle – who at 15 years-old took a 3-1 lead at one point over world number two Mark Selby at the last UK Championship – also makes the list.
American golfer Jordan Spieth, Romanian tennis ace Simona Halep, Russian swimmer Daria Ustinova, Polish road cyclist Michal Kwiatkowski, triple jumper Ana Peleteiro from Spain and Brazilian footballer Neymar, who has the potential to light up the 2014 Fifa World Cup in his home country, were also named in Eurosport Now!
‘It is amazing to think none of our 10 future stars had been born when Eurosport started broadcasting in 1989,’ says Heather Bowler, global communications director of Eurosport Group.
‘Neymar is already a big name, but with the FIFA World Cup in his home country, 2014 could be the year when he really reaches global superstar status and becomes a genuine Ballon d’Or contender. As for the others on the list, they may not be household names yet, but 2014 promises to be their breakthrough year. Whatever their fortunes in the future, our viewers can be certain that we will follow their careers.’
