BMX youngster Jay Bovill's Olympic dream was sparked by London 2012 and that goal looks to be on track after being hand-picked as a SportsAid, Next Generation athlete, fuelled by Aldi.

SportsAid supports over 1,000 young athletes each year by providing a financial award to help with training and competition costs while also delivering personal development opportunities to many athletes through workshop sessions.

Aldi are now working in partnership with SportsAid to support 20 young athletes on their journey to becoming future Olympians and Paralympians – including Bovill – and helping them to eat like a champion.

The 17-year-old from Derby came out on top in the junior men's race at the HSBC UK British BMX Championships in 2019 and now competes on the BMX National Series circuit.

And as his career continues to build momentum, Bovill is not losing sight of his ultimate ambition.

"My career goal is to be picked for an Olympic Games,” said Bovill, speaking after filming a new TV advertising campaign for Aldi, who work with Team GB and ParalympicsGB on the Get Set to Eat Fresh programme, helping school children eat healthier and live an active lifestyle.

“That is the main thing. Winning there would be another great thing but reaching the Olympics is the main thing, along with winning as many titles as I can.

"I was conscious of the Olympics growing up after London 2012.

"Since then, I've just wanted to be there - it is the furthest you can get in the whole of BMX.

"London 2012 made a massive impact for athletes of my generation because normally, when you see these things, it can feel so far away.

"But when it was in England, people could feel like they can get there as well.”

Each year, athletes are nominated to SportsAid by the national governing bodies of more than 60 sports based on set criteria.

The Aldi-supported athletes will be receiving a £2,000 award through SportsAid. Aldi will also support their 20 athletes with a £25 monthly voucher, to fuel them through training, competitions and to future Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bovill believes SportsAid funding will help him compete abroad more regularly, something he feels will help him on his road to Olympic glory.

He added: "Coming up, there is the World Championships in France this summer, which I hope to be picked for.

"After that, I am focussed on getting to Euro rounds because I haven't been riding abroad, so the aim is just to get a bit of experience.

"It is a really good pathway because you can race there, see what you have done wrong and then work on it."

Aldi is the Official Supermarket Partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB and have partnered with Team GB since 2015, ParalympicsGB since 2022 and will be supporting them through to Paris 2024