George North bids to join up with cyclist girlfriend in Rio Olympics

George North has revealed his ambition to join his cycling girlfriend at the 2016 Olympics.
The Wales star is dating track talent Becky James who was part of Team GB’s hugely successful cycling team in London this month as understudy to Victoria Pendleton.
Commonwealth silver medallist James, 20, has already been tipped to succeed Pendleton as Britain’s cycling queen in Rio.
But now she could be joined by boyfriend North after the home unions backed plans to field a Great Britain side in Sevens, which enter the Olympics in four years.
North, also just 20, is likely to be a front-runner for a place in a Sevens version of the British Lions.
He said: “It’s a long time off but the Olympics is definitely something I’d love to do if I was offered the chance.
“I spoke to Richie Pugh about the Sevens the other day and it definitely opens your horizons to something new.
“I like Sevens but it’s a different game altogether so I don’t think it’s as easy as stepping straight from the 15-a-side game into the team.
“And then, if you look at all the players from England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as Wales, it would be a hard team to get into. But it would be incredible to play at the Olympics.”
North regularly joins his girlfriend on the bikes but admits: “I may be bigger than her, but I can’t keep up. The least said about that, the better.”
MATT LLOYD