Katya, who is just aged 14 will be the youngest competitor at the Games. Donald Coelho, her father, himself a three times National Champion who represented India in 2004 in Italy will be her coach.
The IOC launched the Youth Olympic Games at the 119th IOC Session in Guatemala City, in July 2007. The Games’ aim is to bring together the World’s best young athletes to offer a unique and powerful introduction at the Olympics to innovate in educating and debating Olympic values and challenges of society in an event which balances sport, education and culture.
Katya is a class IX student at the European School of Goa, in Saligao. She finished 23rd at the Poland World Championship and eighth in Asian Continental Championship held in Singapore this year.
Katya was felicitated by the Goa Government in February. MLA Michael Lobo has been a big supporter of sports and has assured this Goan family of full government support in Katya’s journey to sporting success in times to come.
