Friday 27th August 2010

SPORTS experts at Loughborough University have helped create a new online tool designed to inspire couch potatoes in the run-up to the Olympic Games.

With the countdown to the London Olympics 2012 under way, anyone wanting to become more active can log on to the new NHS website and find out which sport best suits them.

The new tool at www.nhs.uk/olympics launches today (Tuesday, August 24) and matches people to the sports which best suit them by creating a personalised profile of the user’s sporting “type”.

It recommends five sports to try based on a series of questions and tests assessing personality, sporting preferences and reactions. For example, a shooting target test gauges precision and reaction to speed.

Users are then guided to activities going on in their area, with an interactive map featuring links to over 35,000 sports centres and clubs.

The tool was developed by NHS Choices in association with Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, with input from the British Olympic Association.

Sport and Performance Psychologist Dr David Fletcher, who led the Loughborough University research on this project, said: “This has been an exciting project to work on with the NHS. The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences has a reputation for world-leading research and this project helps ensure that this work has a positive and direct impact on wider society and people’s quality of life.

“The London 2012 Olympic Games provides a wonderful opportunity for this country. Loughborough University is committed to supporting the delivery of sporting and health improvement that is the desired legacy of the Games for the population of the UK.

“Lord Coe has spoken about the ‘memorable moments’ the Games will no doubt provide and this interactive tool aims to turn that inspiration into action; getting more people, more active, and enjoying the positive benefits that physical activity can bring to their lives.’’

The Olympics tool contributes to the Government’s aim of securing a genuine and lasting legacy from the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Public Health Minister Anne Milton said: “There is excitement in the air with the Olympics coming and there’s never been a better time for people to get inspired about doing more exercise.

“The Olympics tool helps and encourages people to try something which suits their abilities and personality, but which they may never have previously considered. Whether you’re bored of the gym, don’t normally exercise or that you feel exercise isn’t for you, there are ideas for everyone for things to do locally.

“What we want is that, in two years time, there will be many more of us following in the footsteps of our sporting heroes as well as cheering them on.”

Olympic silver medallist swimmer Sharron Davies said: "There's never been a better opportunity, with the 2012 Olympics just around the corner, for people to get inspired to be more active and healthy. It can often be difficult to know where to start and that is why the ‘What’s my Sport?’ tool is so clever. By getting people thinking about what sport or activity might suit them and pointing them to be what's available locally, it will hopefully get people off the sofa and into their training kit."

Olympic gymnast Louis Smith said: "The best thing about the Olympics is that it caters for everybody. That's why the ‘What’s my Sport?’ tool is so helpful. Whether you've done exercise before or not, it suggests sports and activities that you might never have considered but could love. You're much more likely to exercise regularly and get fit if you find something that you enjoy doing. This is an excellent first step towards that."

Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics said: “London 2012 will feature 26 Olympic sports and 20 Paralympics sports, each needing different qualities and skills. With so many different sports out there, there is something for everybody and this is a great way to find out what suits you best.”

Over 27 million adults in England are not doing enough exercise, with 14 million not even managing half an hour of moderate exercise a week. The tool targets people at all fitness levels, so that those who don’t usually work out are introduced to a wide range of sports and activities they can build into everyday life.

Friday 27th August 2010

EIGHT days ! ! three gold medals ! ! three world records ! one amazing reputation firmly established.

Usain Bolt's life -- and the world of sport -- would never be quite the same again. 16 August 2008 ! Beijing, China ! the Bird's Nest stadium ! 91,000 spectators and an unimaginably huge global television audience ! the final of the men's 100 metres at the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.

The crack of the starter's pistol triggers thousands of camera flash bulbs ! and precisely 9.69 seconds later a young Jamaican streaks across the finishing line to claim the gold medal and his destiny. Four days later Bolt claims the 200 metres gold, setting a new world record of 19.30 into the bargain, the night before his 22nd birthday.

Then on 22nd August he leads the Jamaican team to more glory in the 4 x 100 metres relay final, in yet another world record time. Since those heady days of the Beijing Olympics in August 2008, Usain Bolt has lowered both the 100 metres and 200 metres world records once again - to a barely believable 9.58 and 19.19 seconds respectively - as the World Championships in Berlin brought two more gold medals and yet more superlatives.

At a stroke the Jamaican has become the greatest sports star in the world. 9.58 is Usain Bolt's story so far, in his own words, beautifully illustrated with dozens of specially commissioned photographs. It's about a skinny kid from the parish of Trelawny, where they harvest the best yams in the world. It's about growing up playing cricket and football in the warm Jamaican sun, then discovering that he could run fast, very fast.

It's about family, friends and the laid-back Jamaican culture. It's about Auntie Lillian's pork and dumplings and Dad's grocery store in the sleepy village of Sherwood Content. It's about what makes him tick, where he gets his motivation and where he takes his inspiration. It's about the highs and the lows, the dedication and sacrifices required to get to the top. It's about fast food, partying, dancehall music, fast cars and that lightning bolt pose. It's about radiating sport's biggest smile. This is the story of the fastest man on the planet.

Thursday 26th August 2010

MARILYN Okoro has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games England athletics team for Delhi.

Okoro was set to compete over 800m, but has struggled to return to sub 2.00 form during the 2010 season following a knee injury, recently suffered an injury to one of the lumbar discs in her back.

She said: “I am hugely disappointed not to compete at the Commonwealth Games and my decision was not an easy one to make but I have to remain focussed on my 2012 dream. My body just isn’t as ready as my mind for Delhi but with help and support from my Coach Ayo Falola and the UKA medical team I will be back for the 2011 season, I wish the team the best of luck; they’re a great team with lots of experience mixed with fresh young talent.”

Nick Leavey, the English National 400m champion has been added to the men’s 4x400m to further strengthen the squad which includes two of the silver medal winning European Championships relay team.

Tuesday 24th August 2010

BROADCASTING two years to the day before the Paralympic 2012 Games begin, Inside Incredible Athletes profiles some of the elite British athletes who excel in their field, from both a personal and a scientific perspective. Examining their demanding training regimes and the particular skills required for high performance at each sport, this 90-minute programme features stunning sporting performance sequences, filmed against a backdrop of iconic locations around London and directed by Mike Christie (Jump London).

The in-depth profiles of the individual athletes literally get under their skin using scientific tests and state-of-the-art scanning technology to create 'biomechanical portraits'. The technique allows viewers to see inside these world-class athletes, revealing for the first time the inside story of these incredible humans and how they have achieved sporting excellence.

The athletes featured include blind football player David Clarke. He has over 100 caps for England/GB and has scored over 100 goals. Scientists at Cambridge University discover how he can 'see' with his ears.

Wheelchair rugby players Mandip Sehmi and Steve Brown have reached staggering levels of fitness despite being paralysed from the chest down. How have they trained their bodies to overcome such limitations and surpass scientific expectations?

Equestrian dressage rider Lee Pearson is chasing his twelfth gold meal at the 2012 Games. Born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, Lee has reduced joint mobility and despite 15 operations he still cannot move his ankles or knees, forcing him to control his horse from his hips.

Sprinter and long-jumper Stefanie Reid reveals how she can run the 100m in 14.34 seconds with her lower-leg prosthetic, while swimmer Liz Johnson, who has cerebral palsy affecting the whole of her right side, demonstrates how since the age of four she's been moving through water better than on land.

Inside Incredible Athletes is on Channel 4 beginning Sunday 29th August at 9.00pm.

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Monday 23rd August 2010

ENGLAND have named their athletics team to compete at the XIX Commonwealth Games that take place in Delhi, India, from 3rd-14th October.

The team is headed by double European gold medallist Mo Farah alongside defending triple jump, 1500m and 400m Commonwealth champions Phillips Idowu, Lisa Dobriskey and Christine Ohuruogu.
Full English Teams:
Men
100m: Mark Lewis-Francis
100m (T46): Ola Abidogun
200m: Leon Baptiste, Marlon Devonish, Jeffrey Lawal Balogun
400m: Richard Buck, Robert Tobin, Conrad Williams
800m: Niall Brooks, Andrew Osagie, Darren St Clair
1500m: Andy Baddeley, Tom Lancashire, Colin McCourt
5,000m: Mo Farah, Chris Thompson
10,000m: Mo Farah, Chris Thompson, Andrew Vernon
Marathon: Andi Jones, Ben Moreau
3,000m sc: Luke Gunn, Stuart Stokes
110mH: Lawrence Clarke, William Sharman, Andy Turner
400mH: David Hughes, Nathan Woodward, Richard Yates
20k Race Walk: Thomas Bosworth, Luke Finch, Alex Wright
High Jump: Martyn Bernard, Samson Oni, Tom Parsons
Long Jump: Greg Rutherford, Chris Tomlinson
Triple Jump: Larry Achike, Nathan Douglas, Phillips Idowu
Pole Vault: Luke Cutts, Max Eaves, Steve Lewis
Shot: Mark Edwards, Carl Myerscough, Scott Rider
Shot F32/34/52: Daniel West
Discus: Carl Myerscough, Chris Scott, Emeka Udechuku
Hammer: Mike Floyd, Matthew Lambley, Alex Smith,
Decathlon: Martin Brockman, Ben Hazell, Kevin Sempers
4x100m: Leon Baptiste, Marlon Devonish Jeffery Lawal Balogun, Mark Lewis- Francis, Ryan Scott, Andy Turner
4x400m: Richard Buck, Graham Hedman, Darren St Clair, Rob Tobin, Conrad Williams,
Women
100m: Montell Douglas, Katherine Endacott, Laura Turner
100m T37: Katrina Hart, Bethany Woodward
200m: Abi Oyepitan, Joice Maduaka
400m: Victoria Barr, Christine Ohuruogu, Nadine Okyere
800m: Lisa Dobriskey, Emma Jackson, Marilyn Okoro
1500m: Helen Clitheroe, Lisa Dobriskey, Hannah England
10,000m: Charlotte Purdue, Hayley Yelling
Marathon: Helen Decker, Michelle Ross-Cope, Holly Rush
3,000mSC: Tina Brown
100mH: Louise Hazel
400mH: Meghan Beesley
20k Race Walk: Johanna Jackson, Lisa Kehler
High Jump: Stephanie Pywell, Vikki Hubbard
Pole Vault: Kate Dennison, Emma Lyons
Triple Jump: Yasmin Regis, Laura Samuel, Nadia Williams
Shot Put: Eden Francis, Eleanor Gatrell, Rebecca Peake
Shot F32, 33,34/42/53: Gemma Prescott
Discus: Eden Francis, Jade Nicholls
Hammer: Zoe Derham, Sarah Holt
Javelin: Goldie Sayers, Laura Whittingham
Heptathlon: Phyllis Agbo, Grace Clements, Louise Hazel
4x100m: Montell Douglas, Katherine Endacott, Hayley Jones, Abi Oyepitan, Laura Turner, Joice Maduaka
4x400m: Victoria Barr, Meghan Beesley, Hayley Jones, Kelly Massey, Christine Ohuruogu, Marilyn Okoro, Nadine Okyere

www.cwgdelhi2010.org/

Thursday 19th August 2010

WALES have named their athletics team to compete at the XIX Commonwealth Games that take place in Delhi, India, from 3rd-14th October.

European Championship medallists Dai Greene, Rhys Williams and Christian Malcolm will spearhead their challenge
Full Welsh Teams:
Men
Brian Alldis - Wheelchair racing, track and road, T54
Lee Doran - Javelin
Dai Greene - 400m hurdles
Rhys Williams - 400m Hurdles
Benjamin Gregory - Decathlon
David Guest - Decathlon
Ashleigh Hellyer - Shot Put F32
Christian Malcolm - 100m & 200m
Ryan Spencer Jones - Shot Put
James Thie - 1500m
Chris Gowell - 800m
Joe Thomas - 800m
Gareth Warburton - 800m
Brett Morse - Discus
Matt Richards - Hammer
Paul Walker - Pole Vault
Women
Jenny McLoughlin - 100m, 200m T37
Elaine O'Neill - 100m & 200m
Carys Parry - Hammer
Laura Douglas - Hammer
Sally Peake - Pole Vault
Philippa Roles - Shot Put

www.cwgdelhi2010.org/

Wednesday 18th August 2010

SCOTLAND have named their athletics team to compete at the XIX Commonwealth Games that take place in Delhi, India, from 3rd-14th October.

Medallists from 2002 and 2006 Lee McConnell and Chris Baillie will be joined by European Championships 400m hurdlers finalist, Eilidh Child and no less than seven field event athletes, including Commonwealth ranked numbers 3 and 4 in the hammer, Mark Dry and Andy Frost.
Full Scottish Teams:
Men
Chris Baillie - 110m Hurdles
James Campbell - Javelin
Mark Dry - Hammer
Andy Frost - Hammer
Alastair Hay - 1500m
Richard Hurren - Pole Vault
Angus McInroy - Discus
Roger Skedd - Decathlon
Alasdair Strange - Pole Vault
Martin Williams - Marathon
Women
Eilidh Child - 400m Hurdles, 4x400m Relay
Claire Gibson - 800m, 4x400m Relay
Lee McConnell - 400m, 4x400m Relay
Freya Murray - 5,000m
Gemma Nicol - 4 x 400m Relay
Henrietta Paxton - Pole Vault
Steph Twell - 1500m, 5000m
Lennie Waite - 3,000m Steeplechase
Kathryn Evans - 4x400m Relay
Team Management:
Team Leader – Pat Rollo
Head Coach – Laurier Primeau
Coaches – Mike Johnston, Darren Ritchie, Stuart Hogg

www.cwgdelhi2010.org/

Tuesday 17th August 2010

THE first ever National Forest 10K will set off from Conkers on Sunday September 19th. There will also be a mile-long fun run around the trails in Conkers grounds for children and families.

From Conkers, the 10K (6.21 mile) scenic off-road route will take runners along the former railway, the Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail, to the young woodland of Donisthorpe Woodland Park. It will follow part of the Ashby Canal, passing Moira Furnace to join the Conkers Circuit. Cutting through mature and young woodland planted as part of The National Forest, and skirting around Albert Village Lake, the climax will be the fast downhill finish to Conkers Discovery Centre.

Race Director Alistair Chambers from Ivanhoe Runners said: “It is a brilliant route, taking in almost every feature you can think of. It should also be a quick course with the potential for very fast times!”

There will be excellent prizes for the winners. The event is being organised by members of the local running clubs Ivanhoe Runners, South Derbyshire Road Runners and Hermitage Harriers, in partnership with the National Forest Company, South Derbyshire District Council and North West Leicestershire District Council.
Race Summary:
Date: Sunday 19th September.

Distance and start time: Family fun run (1 mile) 9:30am, 10K 10:15am

Entry fees: 10K £10 (£8 for affiliated members), Fun run £3

Route: Scenic route in the heart of The National Forest incorporating Ashby Canal, Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail, Conkers Circuit, Donisthorpe Woodland Park and Donington Island Lake.

Partners: South Derbyshire Road Runners, Hermitage Harriers, Ivanhoe Runners, South Derbyshire District Council, North West Leicestershire District Council, National Forest Company.

Applications forms are available from the National Forest Company website www.visitnationalforest.co.uk as well as from the running clubs.
• Hermitage Harriers – www.hermitageharriers.co.uk
• Ivanhoe Runners – www.ivanhoerunners.co.uk
• South Derbyshire Road Runners – www.sdrr.co.uk

To find out what other events are taking place the website www.nationalforest.org/ visit provides a full listing. Or for more information on attractions, activities, events and places to stay in and around The National Forest, the 2010 visitor guides to the Forest and Beyond are bursting with great ideas. These are available from Tourist Information Centres, from the National Forest Company on 01283 551 211 or email enquiries@nationalforest.org

Saturday 14th August 2010

FOURTEEN British athletes have been selected to represent Team Europe at the IAAF Continental Cup to be held in Split, Croatia from 4th-5th September.

In total 92 athletes from 23 Member Federation countries will represent Europe at the Continental Cup, a reformatted version of the World Cup in Athletics.

Besides Europe, three other continental teams: Americas (NACAC and CONSUDATLE), Africa and Asia/Pacific (Asia and Oceania), will also be in contention for global supremacy.

Performance at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona was used as the primary criterion for selection of the European team.

Two athletes per team will compete in each individual event, while in the 1500m, 3000m, 3000mSC and 5000m each team will be able to field three athletes with the scores of only two athletes taken in account for the overall team tally.

Team standings will be determined by the overall total of men's and women's points combined.

As far as scoring is concerned, in individual events the 1st athlete will receive 8pts; 2nd: 7pts; 3rd: 6pts; and so on. The athlete in the 8th position will just get 1pt.

In the relays, the winner will pocket 15pts; 2nd: 11pts; 3rd: 7pts; 4th: 3pts.
British Athletes selected for Team Europe:
Men
Mark Lewis-Francis - 100m
Christian Malcolm – 200m
Michael Bingham – 400m & 400m relay
Martyn Rooney – 400m relay
Michael Rimmer – 800m
Andy Baddeley – 1500m
Mo Farah – 5,000m & 3,000m
Andy Turner – 110m hurdles
Dai Greene – 400m hurdles
Martyn Bernard – high jump
Phillips Idowu – triple jump
Women
Lisa Dobriskey – 1500m
Jenny Meadows – 800m
Hatti Dean – 3,000m steeplechase

www.split2010cc.com/

Thursday 12th August 2010

JAMAICAN sprinter Asafa Powell has pulled out of the 100 metres at the Samsung Diamond League Aviva London Grand Prix that begins on Friday because of ongoing problems with his back injury.

Powell, who made his decision after seeing a doctor in London on Wednesday, said in a statement: "I am disappointed that I will not be able to run at the London Grand Prix as I love running in front of the Jamaican fans here.

"I visited the doctor yesterday and he has advised me not to run in order to help the recovery of my injury. I had hoped it would be better but unfortunately this is not so."

Powell has been struggling with the same injury that forced him to pull out of last Friday's Diamond League meeting in Stockholm.

The 27-year-old said on Tuesday he had been nursing over the past month a series of injuries linked to an initial groin problem, and that he was monitoring his fitness "day by day".

American Tyson Gay is now the only star sprinter competing at the London Grand Prix, a two-day meeting that begins at Crystal Palace on Friday.

Tuesday 10th August 2010

THE brand new global advert for the adidas miCoach system featuring Jessica Ennis, Jonny Wilkinson, Vicki Pendleton, Andy Murray, David Villa, Derrick Rose, and more... was partly filmed in the Loughborough area.

The adidas miCoach system is your personal coach. Choose training plans or create your own. Track your workout progress, get coaching feedback, and see improvements.

The section of the advert featuring England Rugby player Jonny Wilkinson was filmed outside the Loughborough railway station with the Brush works in the background.

World and European heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis is shown jumping over bails of hay near Beacon Hill.

The advert is currently being shown on television channels throughout the world.

adidas miCoach global advert

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Behind the scenes filming the advert, spot the Loughborough locations.

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This is not the first time that a major global brand has filmed in Loughborough, back in 2007 American giants Nike shot their advert for their Nikeplus system featuring world marathon record-holder Paula Radcliffe.

Paula Radcliffe Nike I am a runner global advert.

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Tuesday 10th August 2010

THE month of July saw the outdoor track & field season reach its peak with the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona. The biggest athletics event of the year was witness to the best of European athletics.

Following this, European Athletics have announced the nominations for the European Athlete of the Month for June representing 14 countries.

The nominations features all of Great Britain's gold medal winners from Barcelona headed by Phillips Idowu, the 2009 European Athlete of the Year, who delivered when it matters most; once again he was in his element winning the title with a personal best of 17.81m.

Mo Farah produced a stunning track double, winning the gold medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m.

Dai Greene already with a highly successful season the Welshman won the gold medal in Barcelona with an emphatic win in a European-leading time of 48.12secs.

Jessica Ennis imperious run of form continued in Barcelona as she secured the heptathlon gold medal, setting a career best and European-leading points tally of 6823.

The voting will close on Friday 20th August at noon CET.

The European Athlete of the Month initiative was launched in January 2007 and is designed to recognise outstanding performers at all levels of the sport in Europe.

No athlete who has previously served a two-year doping ban can be nominated for or win the European Athlete of the Month.

To vote click on the following link: www.european-athletics.org/athlete-of-the-month

Tuesday 10th August 2010

WORLD and Olympic champion Usain Bolt following an assessment from his medical team has confirmed that he will close his 2010 track season and cancel his participation in the IAAF Diamond League meetings - Weltklasse Zurich and Memorial van Damme, Brussels.

Bolt was examined on Monday by Dr Hans Müller-Wohlfahrt in Munich who found a problem in his lower back. He has a tightness that restricts his ability to generate power in his stride and continuing to race in this condition could risk injury to his hamstrings or calf muscles.

With a view to his future career he believes further treatment to loosen his back followed by a period of rest will be in his best interest. His management company are delighted to report that the MRI scan on his Achilles tendon showed that it has now completely healed.

Bolt commented: “I am very disappointed to miss two of the top meetings on the circuit – Zurich & Brussels – but trust that it is better for me not to take any risks this year. 2011 and 2012 are very important Championship years and I hope to be back fully fit and healthy. I would like to thank everyone for their support and look forward to coming back stronger next year.”

Friday 6th August 2010

GREAT Britain’s golden girl Jessica Ennis has brought the curtain down on highly successful season by announcing that she has scrapped plans to compete in the Aviva London Grand Prix and the Samsung Diamond League later this year.

The 24-year-old Sheffield-born heptathlete, who added European outdoor gold in Barcelona to her world indoor title achieved in Doha back in March, has decided to rest ahead of the Daegu 2011 IAAF World Championships and the London Olympics in 2012.

Ennis triumph at the Euros was all the more impressive given that her training regime had been disrupted by a virus that she contracted shortly before the competition - part of the reason why she has decided to take time off.

"I have had an amazing season and to win the European Championships was just incredible," Ennis said. "It was such a close competition but there was no way I was not going to win.

"I had planned to run in the London Grand Prix and possibly the Brussels Diamond League, but on serious reflection Toni and I have decided that rest is key to my recovery both from the championships and the illness I had before I went.

"We have to look at the next two years' run into London and keeping me fit and healthy and improving those areas of my performance that I can and this is absolutely the right decision for me now."

Thursday 5th August 2010

JAMAICA's Asafa Powell has pulled out of Friday's 100 metres showdown with triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt and American Tyson Gay at the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Stockholm because of injuries.

Powell tested himself with starts from blocks and was just unable to push from the blocks without severe pain.

"I am absolutely devastated," said Powell, who shares the fastest time in the world with Bolt this season, 9.82 seconds.

"I have been running very well and I was hoping that I would be in the race with a solid chance to win," he continued. "But with the way I have been feeling I know it would be difficult to even finish the race."

The race in Stockholm was to have been the first meeting this year of the three fastest 100 metres sprinters of all-time.

Bolt holds the world record at 9.58 seconds with Gay owning a personal best of 9.69 and Powell 9.72.

Powell was first hurt when he suffered a minor groin injury in the Paris Diamond League meeting last month and since then other issues have occurred. The pain has since eased but he has been unable to train at maximum effort.

Wednesday 28th July 2010

WORLD record-holder Usain Bolt is set to compete against Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay for the first time this season in the 100 metres at the DN Galan Samsung Diamond League meeting in Stockholm’s Olympic Stadium on Friday 6th August.

Bolt's decision to join the field in Stockholm means the meeting will mark the trio's first head-to-head since last year's 100m final at the World Championships in Berlin, where the Jamaican added the world title to his Olympic gold as he broke the world record in style.

Gay was second on that occasion, breaking the US record in the process, with Powell in third. The race will be the first of just two meetings between the 'Big Three' this year, with the second clash set for the Diamond League final in Brussels on August 27th.

The Stockholm showdown between the world’s best sprinters will be shown live on BBC Three from 7.00pm.

Tuesday 27th July 2010

TODAY marks the two-year countdown to the greatest show on earth with the London Olympics that begin on Friday 27th July 2012.

London's Trafalgar Square, with the aid high technology, will feature from today feature a series of activities set up by Panasonic, an Olympic Games sponsor for more than 20 years, promise an insight in to how new technology may be useful for spectators.

London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton said: "Panasonic's Full HD 3D technology shows us great opportunity for both sport and technology by capturing the passion of sport like never before and delivering an outstanding viewing experience for fans across the world."

Panasonic expect that more than 4,000 people an hour will attend the day-long event which will seek to drum home the message that the 2012 Games will reflect a modern London that is cutting edge.

A 60 square metre LED screen at the foot of Nelson's Column will show coverage of the days countdown events. During the Games it will play live action and replays as the big screen inside the Olympic Stadium. Tourists at the central London landmark will see interviews and special activities being held at the Olympic Stadium throughout the day.

Video diaries from London 2012 hopefuls talking about how their training is going, their hopes and the sacrifices they are making to try and be the best in 2012 will also be beamed on screen. Would-be film makers who have entered the London 2012 short film competition - Film Nation Shorts - for 14-25 year olds will also see their work on screen.

The footage has to be based around the Olympic values of respect, courage, excellence, friendship, equality, determination and inspiration.

There will be a 3D Future Zone, a Have a Go Zone with interactive games and a variety of celebrity guest appearances and performances.

The 3D Future Zone comes complete with six special pods allowing people to watch Olympic footage in true-to-life full HD.

Sunday 25th July 2010

GREAT Britain's Jo Pavey has been ruled out of the forthcoming European Championships in Barcelona through injury.

Pavey has a toe injury which had improved during the team's pre-championship training camp in Portugal.

However, it has not improved sufficiently to give the Devon athlete enough quality training in order to compete in the 10,000 metres in Spain.

Pavey's absence is the latest series of injury problems for the British team, with the likes of Greg Rutherford, Goldie Sayers and Kelly Sotherton already absent from the championships.

Thursday 22nd July 2010

TIM Doran has gained selection for the Team England squad to compete at the IAU 50km Trophy Final that takes place in Galway, Ireland, on Sunday 29th August 2010.

The 31-year-old Leicestershire athlete from the Aldershot, Farnham & District Club will make his international debut having finished runner-up at the Boddington 50km English Ultra Championships in Gloucestershire clocking a time of three hours 10 minutes in the race won by Julian Rendall.

This achievement follows his performance at the Virgin London Marathon back in April when his lowered his personal best over the distance with 2:33.42 guiding Aldershot to team silver in the England Athletics Championships.
Full England Teams:
Men
Julian Rendall (Thames Hare & Hounds)
Tim Doran (Aldershot Farnham & District)
Paul Fernandez (Abingdon Amblers)
Women
Sue Harrison (Leamington A.C.)
Helen Taranowski (Spa Striders/West 4 Harriers)
Adela Salt (Trentham Running Club)

www.iau.org.tw/