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The Ghana Athletics Association has announced that 400m runner Vivian Mills has been awarded an IAAF Scholarship to prepare towards the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Mills recorded the fastest time by a Ghanaian woman anywhere over 400m in 2014 with a personal best 53.04 secs clocking.

After competing in the 400m heats at the third leg of the Interplast-Sea & Shore National Circuit Championships at the El Wak stadium last Saturday, the reigning National Circuit 200m champion jetted off to Mauritius to take up the scholarship.

The 200m and 400m specialist started training soon after arriving at her destination, according to an official of the world athletics governing body, the IAAF.

The IAAF Scholarship programme enables athletes who have the potential but lack the appropriate athletics environment to develop their competitive performance by training in appropriate conditions and with the provision of the necessary support that may not be available in the athlete’s own country.

The scholarship guarantees: Full board and accommodation, Health insurance, Coaching services by specialised coaches, Travel to local competitions, Travel to/from IAAF Centre at the beginning and at the end of scholarship (i.e. 1 return ticket), Basic physiotherapeutic services and a small, monthly financial allowance.

The former national junior athlete has been one of the best-home based athletes since making a return to the sport in 2014. She capped her impressive displays throughout the 2014 season by winning the 200m event at the National Circuit Championship Finale in a time of 23.97.