University gets in the Olympic spirit

8:20am Wednesday 24th September 2008

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ATHLETES of tomorrow have met the stars of today at a celebration of the 2012 Olympic Games at the University of Worcester.

Worcester’s mayor Lucy Hodges, Worcestershire County Council chairman Alwyn Davies and university vice-chancellor Professor David Green looked on as sports people past, present and future raised the Olympic flag at the university’s St John’s Campus yesterday.

The university has been named as a pre-Olympic training venue for basketball, table tennis, fencing and indoor volleyball. Mr Green said: “The 2012 Olympics are already generating a great deal of excitement throughout the country and as the event draws nearer there is a genuine belief that there will be a significant contribution from this region.

“The University of Worcester will certainly play its part in developing the talent, research and facilities required for Olympic success.”

Talented youngsters from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College revelled in the opportunity to meet University of Worcester athleteswho have recently returned from this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, as well as stars of the past and up and coming names of today.

Commonwealth gold medalist and university lecturer Christina Boxer, who represented Great Britain at track and field in successive Olympics, culminating in a fourth place at the Seoul games in 1988, encouraged the youngsters to work hard.

Students Lee Greatbach and Keryn Seal, as well as University of Worcester staff member Will Norman, were part of the Great Britain blind football team that recently secured fifth place in Beijing.

They were joined by Worcestershire cyclist Liam Killeen who recently finished seventh at the Olympics after winning gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Stars of the future were represented by Worcester Wolves basketball player Andrew Wallace, who played for England in this year’s under 18 European Championships.