A Loreto athlete is celebrating success after winning a gold medal at the International Catholic Youth Games in France.

Josh McHugh,who is in the A2 year at Loreto College, travelled to Tours in France to take part in the international competition organised by FISEC.

In 2009 Josh came away from the Portugal games with a silver medal in the relay race, this year he went one better and won gold in the 800 metres.

“To come back with the gold medal after the disappointment of last year made it even more special,” said Josh, “It was a great experience, and I hope to carry on competing at this level,” he added.

Josh has Olympic ambitions and trains five times a week at Longford Park in Stretford as well as studying PE, Media, Psychology and Sociology A levels.

The FISEC (Fédération Internationale Sportive de l'Enseignement Catholique) games give young people the opportunity to compete for their country in a wide range of sporting events from athletics to volleyball. The professional organisation, which is recognised by the Olympic Committee, was estabished in 1948 and its yearly international competitions attract young people from Catholic schools and colleges from all over the world.