Recently, I have been given one of the most rewarding tasks within my role at work and this is to help 6 young rising athletics stars, all under the age of 18, to help them on their way to winning medals at the London 2012 Olympics.
This is something that is extremely close to my heart. When I was growing up and competing regularly in swimming, I would have loved the same level of support, enthusiasm and financial backing, as well as gaining that exposure and media attention, which in itself is a skill any professional athlete has to master.
The programme is named. ‘Heroes’ and is sponsored by UK Athletics and Original Source. I intend to follow the chosen six young athletes, with their sights set on the podium, for a period of 6 months and watch their summer season unfold as they strive to strike a balance between everyday life and the demands of a rigorous training programme. At the end of those 6 months, we get to decide who the winning hero is and ultimately who will then receive an extra bursary from the brand to help them further on their way to athletics stardom! Quite a momentous and difficult task as they are all so talented!
It’s been fascinating to hear about what they go through on a week to week basis; here are just a few of their quotes:
Ross Murray (Gateshead Harriers)
IAAF World Cross Country, Edinburgh
“You have to be quick when the food is served….bananas are like gold dust when you’re a middle or long distance athlete.”
Laura Weightman (Morpeth Harriers & AC)
Flora London Mini Marathon
“On you marks… Set …. Bang …. We were off. I felt good; I didn’t have tight calves as I thought I might and my breathing felt under control. It was a fast pace to begin with, but it soon settled and I got into a comfortable position.
“The first 3 girls went off and I couldn’t keep with them. So I kept on working and just sat in fifth. I then saw the 600m sign, the girl in front was not far ahead, so I kicked and went for it. I ran all the way to the line and managed to go past her 50m from the line to finish 4th.”
Jordan McGrath (Birchfield Harriers)
Life change from 16 year old boy to 18 year old athlete
“I have only been involved with athletics for two years, and it has already changed my life vastly…. It was a very fast rise to the top in Under 17 athletics for me. In just my fifth 400m race I was lining up next to Chris Clarke, who would break his own English schools record by half a second in the same race.”
Niall Flannery (Gateshead Harriers)
“When I hear other students complain they didn’t have time to do their work I always wonder what their excuse is because I know fine well they will have had more time than me!”
I am so pleased to be supporting such a deserved cause. All 6 athletes are such characters. When I met them in person for the meet and greet photo shoot day it was no disappointment. As I gave each of them their Original Source goody bags on the side of Headingley track in Leeds, it was a pleasure to see the delight on their faces. It was hilarious to hear Ross shout at the top of his Geordie accent “It’s proper mint like” on receiving 12 bottles of OS mint and tea tree, “I love this stuff, it’s what dreams are made of”……I couldn’t have said it better myself……..
The Original Source Team Blog 