'On Camp with Kelly' athletes visit London's 2010 Olympic Stadium (© www.oncampwithkelly.co.uk)
London, UKTwentysix talented young middle distance athletes who are part of Dame Kelly Holmes’ mentoring and education initiative ‘On Camp with Kelly’, Wednesday (8) benefited from a fantastic opportunity to visit the Olympic Park in Stratford.
IAAF Vice President Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, led a tour of the Olympic Stadium, the venue at which the athletes aspire to compete in two years time.
The ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes were taken on a bus tour of the Olympic Park, taking in venues such as the Velodrome, Athletes’ Village and Aquatics Centre as well as the Stadium tour with Coe. Along with Dame Kelly, he was able to provide a unique insight into competing and winning at an Olympic Games.
The athletes taking part in the visit included: two former medallists at the IAAF World Youth Championships, Rowena Cole from Coventry and Alison Leonard from Lancashire; and this year’s leading female Under 20 1500m runner in the UK, Laura Weightman from Northumberland.
Dame Kelly said: “‘On Camp with Kelly’ aims to give young athletes the tools they need to help them achieve in their athletics careers. The visit to the Olympic Park is a unique opportunity for them to gain an insight into what it will be like to compete here in two years time and ask questions of those responsible for organising the London 2012 Games. A number of ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes will be aiming to compete at the Games, while for others this is a really amazing inspiration to spur them on in their efforts to compete future Championships and the 2016 Olympic Games. I look forward to being in the stadium to cheer them on.”
The Olympic Stadium will host track and field events during the Games in addition to the opening and closing ceremonies. It is scheduled to complete next year ready for test events. The roof is finished – meaning two third of spectators will be sheltered – and work is currently underway on the field of play. Athletes were given access into the inner workings of the stadium on the day and visited some of the 700 rooms and call track beneath the seating stands.
For more information about ‘On Camp with Kelly’ and latest news and updates go to www.oncampwithkelly.co.uk.
Emily Lewis for the IAAF
IAAF Vice President Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, led a tour of the Olympic Stadium, the venue at which the athletes aspire to compete in two years time.
The ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes were taken on a bus tour of the Olympic Park, taking in venues such as the Velodrome, Athletes’ Village and Aquatics Centre as well as the Stadium tour with Coe. Along with Dame Kelly, he was able to provide a unique insight into competing and winning at an Olympic Games.
The athletes taking part in the visit included: two former medallists at the IAAF World Youth Championships, Rowena Cole from Coventry and Alison Leonard from Lancashire; and this year’s leading female Under 20 1500m runner in the UK, Laura Weightman from Northumberland.
Dame Kelly said: “‘On Camp with Kelly’ aims to give young athletes the tools they need to help them achieve in their athletics careers. The visit to the Olympic Park is a unique opportunity for them to gain an insight into what it will be like to compete here in two years time and ask questions of those responsible for organising the London 2012 Games. A number of ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes will be aiming to compete at the Games, while for others this is a really amazing inspiration to spur them on in their efforts to compete future Championships and the 2016 Olympic Games. I look forward to being in the stadium to cheer them on.”
The Olympic Stadium will host track and field events during the Games in addition to the opening and closing ceremonies. It is scheduled to complete next year ready for test events. The roof is finished – meaning two third of spectators will be sheltered – and work is currently underway on the field of play. Athletes were given access into the inner workings of the stadium on the day and visited some of the 700 rooms and call track beneath the seating stands.
For more information about ‘On Camp with Kelly’ and latest news and updates go to www.oncampwithkelly.co.uk.
Emily Lewis for the IAAF