SCHOOLGIRL swimming star Genevieve Randall has flown to Azerbaijan this week to represent England with Team GB.

Genevieve, of Faringdon, flew out from Heathrow on Tuesday to compete at the first European Games.

The King Alfred’s Academy, Wantage, pupil is a synchronised swimmer and will compete in solo and team events from Friday onwards.

Although it is not an Olympic qualifying event, Genevieve said it would be good preparation should she make it to Rio next year.

The 17-year-old said: “I am very excited. It is such a great opportunity and it’s the first multiple-sports event I’ve done and the first Team GB event I’ve done.

“Hopefully, it will be a great test for Rio.”

She said she has spent the past two weeks intensively training for Azerbaijan in the pool at Aldershot Garrison.

The European Games in the country’s capital Baku, will see more than 6,000 athletes from across Europe compete from Friday over two weeks.

The official qualifier for Rio will be in March next year when Genevieve flies out to compete against the world’s best synchronised swimmers.