Mariana earned her qualification at the BMX World Championships, which took place this past weekend in Birmingham in the UK, where she placed fifth.

Mariana has been part of the G4S 4teen programme since 2007 and credits her support from G4S as one of her biggest encouragements on her way to the top.

“G4S has provided me with everything I need,” Mariana said. “They were my first sponsor and since then it has meant so much to me that they are behind me. I am very excited to represent my country and the G4S 4teen team this summer in London.”

Already extremely popular in her home country, Mariana is one of the athletes who has been nominated in a national competition to carry the Colombian flag at the Opening Ceremonies. The competition will last until the 15th of June, after which the Colombian flag bearer will be named.

Mariana is the third G4S 4teen athlete to be selected for the London 2012 Olympic Games, following Chatchai Butdee (Boxing, Thailand) and Juan Maegli (Laser Sailing, Guatemala).

Congratulations to Mariana and we look forward to welcoming her back to London this summer and watching her compete!

Also, this week the G4S 4teen mentor Haile Gebrselassie has been visiting London and spent some time with G4S.