Staffordshire Young Athletes
The county’s Olympic hopefuls have been sharing their views on Staffordshire’s part in the 2012 Olympic Torch relay.
Five inspirational young sports people are aiming to hit the heights in a variety of different sports, including canoeing, swimming and water polo.
They are all busily blogging as they combine hectic training schedules and international competitions with school, university and work.
One thing that’s really been catching their attention this month is the route of the Olympic Torch Relay, which will visit Staffordshire in May and June next year.
Ten Staffordshire communities will welcome the Flame next summer on its 8,000 mile route to London. The host locations on 30 May will be Gnosall, Haughton and Stafford; on 30 June, Burton-upon-Trent, Streethay, Lichfield, Hopwas, Tamworth, Great Wyrley and Newtown will all share in the excitement. The Flame will also visit the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas on 30 June.
Young Staffordshire swimmer Emma Wilkins, who will by vying for a place representing Great Britain at next year’s Olympic Games, helped to launch the Staffordshire announcement and said “I would love to be there to see the Torch going past, and how fantastic would it be to be a torch bearer, representing Staffordshire. Good luck to all."
Water Polo Player Claire Nixon said: “I’m really pleased that the Olympic Torch is going through my home village of Great Wyrley – it’s nice that we're going to be put on the map.”
Joe Clarke, who competes in Canoe Slalom said: “I think the Olympic Torch Relay will have a very positive impact on the community and a long lasting legacy. This will hopefully help to promote sport and get more youngsters active and striving to compete at future Olympics."
These sentiments were echoed by Pat Corfield, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Customers. He said: “We are very proud that the Olympic Flame will be coming to Staffordshire, passing through many of our communities"
Explore the blog|
Staffordshire Olympic Spirit 2012
As part of Staffordshire's Olympic Spirit film site, two young athletes have created some terrific videos surrounding their involvement in 2012
View Emma Wilkins'| video
View Mark Fosbrook's| video
These are excerpts from the full length film, ‘Staffordshire’s Olympic Spirit’, that Inspired Film and Video are producing that will be screened this year in 2012
Staffordshire Olympic Spirit|
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