Transcript
Page 1: Championing Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire hosts2012 School GamesOver 800 children compete at theSchool Games in Grantham - one ofonly nine pilots in the country

Will you be carryingthe Olympic Flame?8000 people will run with theOlympic Torch next year. Have younominated someone inspirational?

Why should Lincolnshirecare about London 2012?Find out how and why London 2012 will affect us all.

ChampioningLincolnshireCelebrating the London 2012 Games in LincolnshireIssue 1 | 27th July 2011

“I want to representGB at the 2012Paralympics; I

deserve torepresent GB!”

Meet Lincolnshire Sitting VolleyballAthlete Andrew Skinner

www.championinglincolnshire.co.uk

Page 2: Championing Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire Sports Partnership is a sports charity whose main aim is to increaseparticipation in sport and physical activity across the county.

Recent projects include:Quest for GoldLincolnshire Coaches WeekBike 4 LifeInclusive Fitness InitiativeExercise ReferralBehind the FenceSilver SpiritSports Zone at the Lincolnshire ShowLincolnshire Elite Athlete Programme (LEAP)Fit KidsHealth WalksSports ForceLincolnshire Sports AwardsSportivate

Find out more about Lincolnshire SportsPartnership and how we can help your sports club ororganisation, by contacting us:

Telephone: 01522 585 580

www.lincolnshiresports.com

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ContentsOn the Front Cover:

6 Why should Lincolnshire Care about London 2012?Ranbir Bhullar looks at why our county can be proud

9 Lincolnshire hosts 2012 School Games - One of nine UKPilots for the School Games was held in our county this year

18 Carrying the Flame for Lincolnshire - We know that theOlympic Torch will visit Lincoln, but who will be carrying it?

12 I want to represent GB at the 2012 Paralympics - MeetLincolnshire-born Sitting Volleyball Player Andrew Skinner

Other Features:

5 Introduction - by Lincolnshire’s Champion for the2012 Games Cllr Mrs Doreen Stephenson

17 Your Voice - Do you think the London 2012 Games willaffect us in Lincolnshire?

20 Who said the Olympics were all about sport? A look atthe Cultural Olympiad in the run up to the Games

22 Spotlight on... Geoff Capes

Photographs from top (clockwise): Andrew Skinner, London 2012 MascotsMandeville and Wenlock at the Lincolnshire School Games, Moving Colourat SO Festival 2011 and Geoff Capes.

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GET THE KIDS ACTIVEAT YARBOROUGH LEISURE CENTRE

Go on...come and have a go!

Swimming Lessons DivingCircus Skills TrampoliningBasketball Toddler GymHoliday Sports Camp Tennis For much more visit us online at www.activenation.org.ukYarborough Leisure Centre Riseholme RoadLincolnLN1 3SP01522 873600

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It gives me great pleasure to officially launch the first issue of thisspecial online magazine; specifically produced for the London2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and its impact withinLincolnshire.

As Lincolnshire Champion for the 2012 Games, I have been working hard since 2005to inspire people to become involved with such an iconic sporting event, and I want totake this opportunity to congratulate students at the University of Lincoln, who byworking together with Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, have shown the initiative todevelop such an outstanding magazine.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are about more than just sport, and in the lastfive years, London’s East End has magnificently transformed. A number of things inLincolnshire have also changed thanks to the 2012 Games and our reporters in thismagazine have looked at numerous projects throughout the county which are trulyinspired by the Games.

I encourage you all to ‘Champion Lincolnshire’ over the next 12 months as wecountdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I hope that you will all havethe opportunity to be actively involved in Olympic-inspired activities throughout thecounty.

We do not want to regret that we didn’t do enough as a county to inspire the peopleof Lincolnshire to get involved with the Games, so I truly hope that you will read thismagazine with excitement and perhaps find a way for you, your friends, family andcolleagues to get involved with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Gameshere in Lincolnshire.

Councillor Mrs Doreen StephensonLincolnshire Champion for the 2012 Games

This magazine has beenproduced by LincolnshireSports Partnership and thelincoln School of Journalism atthe University of Lincoln.

Contributors include: RanbirBhullar, Hayley Cook, BradleyKing and Gemma Pass.Magazine designed by: RanbirBhullar, Stephanie Bolton andHayley Cook.

For more information contactHayley Cook on:Telephone: 01522 585 580Email: [email protected]

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Welcome

FOLLOW Championing Lincolnshire on Facebookand Twitter:

www.facebook.com/championinglincolnshire

www.twitter.com/lincs2012

And don’t forget to keep checking the website for regular updatesabout the London 2012 Games in Lincolnshire:www.championinglincolnshire.co.uk

Cllr Mrs Doreen Stephenson;Lincolnshire Champion

for the 2012 Games

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Why should Lincolnshireget excited about theLondon 2012 Games?The Olympic and Paralympic Games are often branded as ‘The Greatest Sporting Event on Earth’and in one year’s time, the magnificent event will be held in our capital city; London.

But, how will the Games affect us in Lincolnshire? And why should people of the second largestcounty in England care about the Games? There are many reasons to get excited about theOlympics and Paralympics, Ranbir Bhullar explains why.

Be proud of Lincolnshire’s athletesLincolnshire can be proud of the pool of athletes striving torepresent Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic or ParalympicGames, including:Lizzie Simmonds (Swimming)Kate Haywood (Swimming)Rob Welbourne (Swimming)Hayley Williams (Swimming)Crista Cullen (Hockey)Georgie Twigg (Hockey)Hannah McLeod (Hockey)Shona McCallin (Hockey)Glenn Kirkham (Hockey)Rob Tobin (Athletics)Vikki Hubbard (Athletics)Hollie Arnold (Athletics)Sophie Wells (Equestrian)Lauren West (Equestrian)Andrew Skinner (Sitting Volleyball)Kieran Tscherniawsky (Seated Discus)Luke Campbell (Boxing)Richard Sargent (Wheechair Basketbal)Emily Taylor (Rowing)Aaron Heading (Shooting)Sarah Woods (Shooting)Simon Terry (Archery)Leanne Stephen (Table Tennis)Katie Colclough (Cycling)Daniel Cox (Tennis)Eight athletes represented Lincolnshireat the 2008 Beijing Olympics. How many will compete in 2012?

It’s a ‘Once in aLifetime Opportunity’London is the first city to host theOlympic and Paralympic Games threetimes, having previously done so in1908 and 1948.

Whilst there are some that willwitness both the 1948 Games and theGames next year, for many theLondon 2012 Olympic and ParalympicGames will truly be a ‘once in alifetime opportunity’.

Whether competing, volunteering,working or spectating, those involvedwith the Games next year will beinvolved in something spectacular;something which happens only fouryears, and something which is unlikelyto happen again in our lifetimes.

Nathan Cook, 21, from Boston, said:“Lots of my friends didn’t even try tobuy tickets which I think is ridiculous -this is a once in a lifetime opportunityto get involved and see the Olympicsor Paralympics in our country. I’mgoing to see the Table Tennis and theTennis and I can’t wait - I won’t getchance to do anything like this again. Ihope eveveryone takes the opportunityto get involved.”

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Lauren West

Kieran Tscherniawsky

Sarah Woods

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In 2005, Lord Sebastian Coepromised to inspire young peopleto play sport, and now thousandsof children and young peopleaged 14 - 25 will benefit from anew sports programme calledSportivate. £32million has beeninvested into the programmewhich hopes to encourage 30,000teenagers and young adults totake part in sport over the nextfour years. Nearly 4,000 of thoseyoung people will be fromLincolnshire.

70,000 individuals will volunteer atthe Games next summer helpingat the venues, with the athletes orbehind the scenes, and sportsvolunteers are in high demandright across the UK.

Next month, a new programmecalled Sports Makers will belaunched as part of SportEngland’s legacy from the 2012Games. If you’re interested involunteering then why not

become a Sports Maker?

Lincolnshire Sports Partnership’snew programme called ‘Quest forGold’ encourages people to trynew Olympic and Paralympicsports at clubs and leisureroviders across Lincolnshire.Quest for Gold costs £5.00 to signup, but 30 sports then offerbeginner sessions for free (somemay ask for donations towardsequipment etc.). If you’re lookingto try a new activity, but not surewhich one, this programme isgreat for trying lots of new sports.

Try new sports and be inspired by the Legacy of the GamesThere are plenty of reasons for playing sports. Whether it is to keep fit, discover a new hobby, or support yourlocal club; playing sports should be fun and enjoyable, and if you haven’t thought about playing sports before -why not start now, and be inspired by the 2012 Games?

Whether you are excited about the 2012 Games or not, this much is clear - in less than year,Lincolnshire will be involved in the 2012 Games. The Olympic Torch will be carried through ourcounty and Lincoln will host an evening celebration for everyone on 27th June 2011. So, take thisopportunity to get involved with the Games, even if you aren’t lucky enough to be in London.

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Lincoln swimmer Lizze Simmonds, who represented Lincolnshire in Beijing, is one ofmany Lincolnshire’s hoping to represent Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics.

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Creating alasting legacyfor sport inLincolnshire

Communication | Events | Volunteering | Facilities | Increased Participation

www.lincolnshiresports.com

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The Lincolnshire SchoolGames emulates the

London 2012 Olympic andParalympic Games in everyway; an OpeningCeremony to inspireathletes, spectators andVIP guests; athletes fromall across the countycompeting in a variety ofsports at the highest levelin Lincolnshire; and aClosing Ceremony tohonour and recognise theachievements of suchinspiring children andyoung people. But insteadof taking place over a four week period in a majorworldwide city, and building an infrastructure worthmillions of pounds, these Games took place in one dayin the south of the county in Grantham.

As one of nine pilot School Games across the countrythis year, the Lincolnshire School Games always aspiredto be a spectacular event, and at Grantham MeresLeisure Centre on Thursday 14th July 2011, it didn’tdisappoint. Amongst an impressive backdrop of one ofLincolnshire’s top sporting complexes, the SchoolGames started with a truly inspirational OpeningCeremony.

Commencing the ceremony with an escort of eightYoung Leaders from schools across Lincolnshire wasOlympic Gold Medallist and Triple Jump World Recordholder since 1995 Jonathan Edwards. Escorted byCharlie Bonner (Kirton Middlecott), Melissa Pool (NorthKesteven), Daniel Evans (St. Andrews C of E), MattSmith (Priory Ruskin), Kelly Beanlett (Kesteven andGrantham Girls), Jason Duckett (Caistor Grammar),Naomi Smith (Spalding High School) and Amir Ameen(Queen Elizabeth School), Jonathan was followed by800 competitors.

Parading around theAthletics track to a ratherexpected mix of Take Thatand M-People, 74 schoolsfrom eight School SportsPartnerships (SSPs)officially started theCeremony, reflectingOlympic and ParalympicOpening Ceremonies allover the world. Followed byan impressive entrancefrom the British ParachuteSchool at Langar Airfieldand six skydivers whoremarkably descended intothe Athletics stadium

one-by-one wearing the colours of the Olympic rings,they landed in simultaneous rings laid out on the middleof the track before handing over a special message fromLord Sebastian Coe, delivered to Young Ambassadorand well-known sports representative in Lincolnshire,Debbie Foote.

17 year-old Debbie from Grantham addressed theathletes and read Lord Coe’s message which reinforcedthe London Organising Committee for the Olympic andParalympic Games (LOCOG) ambitions to utilise theGames not only to inspire athletes, but to inspire childrenand young people across the world. She highlighted theseven Olympic and Paralympic values of Respect,Excellence, Friendship, Courage, Determination,Inspiration and Equality which were an underliningtheme of the School Games throughout the day, andwelcomed two well-known figures from the 2012 Games– mascots Mandeville and Wenlock who entertained thecrowd and athletes as they made their way around thestadium.

As we all celebrated 379 days until the OlympicGames in London, Secretary of State for Health, AndrewLansley, motivated participants with his thoughts on the

Will you be competing atthe Lincolnshire SchoolGames next year?800 athletes, 12 sports and 74 teams: all competing for a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal. Soundfamiliar? It’s supposed to. Hayley Cook attending the Lincolnshire School Games - inspired by 2012.

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Eight Young Leaders from Lincolnshire opened theSchool Games with Olympian Jonathan Edwards

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School Games: “The greatest aspect of sportis fun and we want to make sure that childrenand young people from across the countryenjoy taking part in sport and activity. Wewant to create a sporting legacy and a healthlegacy for generations to come.”

However, the most inspirational words camefrom Jonathan Edwards; a gentleman whohad competed at four Olympic Games but hadnever taken part in an Opening Ceremonyuntil Lincolnshire; a Gold Medallist who is amodest and friendly ambassador for sport,and a World Record holder who has held his title since1995 – an impressive fete in a world of ever-changingtechnology: “Being here reminds me of where it allstarted; at school. My first triple jump was 9m long; I was11 years old and I never thought that I’d compete at anOlympic or Commonwealth Games, or hold a WorldRecord at 18.29m! I think that sometimes the mostimportant competitions are the ones you fail, it forcesyou to try again and you can’t realise your greatestpotential without a few failures on the way.”

After declaring the Games officially open; athletes,volunteers, guests and spectators made their way tovarious events across the complex. 74 schoolscompeted in 12 events; Cricket, Golf, Netball,Wheelchair Basketball, Athletics, Badminton, Boccia,Table Tennis, Hockey, Tennis and Rugby. Despiteformats differing for each sport and participants rangingfrom 7 – 18 years old, it was clear that the main goalremained the same for everyone; to compete at thehighest standard reflecting Olympic and Paralympicvalues throughout the day, and most importantly to enjoysport.

One of the highlights of the day for me was walkingaround the venue to see the enthusiasm from eachschool team, the ambition to succeed and the eagerness

to have fun.Whether 7 or 17,the children andyoung people atthe LincolnshireSchool Gamesreally wereenjoying sport;and it was greatto see themlearning aboutthe Olympic andParalympicvalues along theway.

For those whoweren’tcompeting, therewas an Activity

Marketplace with Zorb Balls,Skateboarding, inflatables andBMXing – a chance forchildren to still get involved insport and activity withoutbeing too competitive.

Jessica Lewis, 16, a Year 11 student from CaistorGrammar School, also showcased her contribution to theLondon 2012 Olympics; a Lincolnshire mascot shedesigned which will be sold as a pin badge across thecountry, and Gaynor Nash, Regional Coordinator for theChildren and Young People’s Legacy from the 2012Games, exhibited a remarkable treasure from the 1948London Olympics; an original 1948 Torch.

The whole day was spectacularly wound up with aClosing Ceremony to honour and recognise all of theathlete’s efforts throughout the day, and reward thewinners with trophies and photographs with London2012 mascots Mandeville and Wenlock. As well aswinners for each sport, a team from each of the 12activities were also presented with an Olympic andParalympic Values award – not necessarily for winning,but for showing Respect, Excellence, Friendship,Courage, Determination, Inspiration or Equalitythroughout the day. 24 awards were presented in all to18 different schools – a diverse range from acrossLincolnshire – and for those who weren’t lucky enough towin anything, they formed part of Lincolnshire’s ownOlympic Rings – five rings in the centre of the fieldcompiling of 700 school children in five different colouredT-Shirts – an inspirational image for parents, spectators,VIPs and of course, athletes.

The Lincolnshire School Games 2011 was one of ninepilots from across the country. It is hoped that next year,every county across the UK will organise a similarSchool Games to truly celebrate the London 2012Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games hope toinspire and enthuse individuals to take part in sport andactivity, and undoubtedly, the event at Grantham Mere’sdid this perfectly. I certainly cannot wait to see what theOpening Ceremony will look like next year, or see howmany schools will take part in the event, but I hope that itwill inspire as many children and young people as itundeniably did this year.

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The Netballers get the chance to meet2012 Mascots Mandeville and Wenlock

Tag Rugby was 1 of12 sports on the day

Jessica Lewis’s (16) mascot will bemade into pinbadges and sold

Page 11: Championing Lincolnshire

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Page 12: Championing Lincolnshire

“I have the beliefthat I will competeat the 2012 Gamesnext year and ifyou don’t have thebelief, what’s thepoint of playing?”Photographer and father of two Andrew Skinner,may seem like your typical 41 year old man. But,this Lincolnshire man is hoping to compete forGreat Britain at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.Ranbir Bhullar meets the man behind the goggles.

Despite struggling with fundingfor travelling and for Physio

(£60 per hour) to train with the GBsquad and hardly seeing hisfamily, Andrew remains positivethat he will compete at theParalympic Games: “Even thoughI'm injured, I still want to be at theGames next year; I deserve to bethere. I've taken part in everyother major competition in theworld apart from the ParalympicGames. It's the highlight of I thinkeverybody's sporting career tocompete at an Olympics orParalympics, especially in yourown country, so I'm lucky that I

have that opportunity. I’mcommitted a thousand per cent;no matter what obstacles I face, Iwill try my best to be there.”

Andrew’s shoulder injury, whichhas been plaguing him since hisaccident five years ago, hasmeant that he has been unable tocompete with the GB squad forthe last few weeks but stillremains in London to train withthe team. With the EuropeanChampionships in Hollanddrawing closer in October, he ishoping that his injury will improveand he will have the chance to take

...continued overleaf

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Photographer Andrew Skinner from Lincoln is training with the Great BritainSitting Volleyball Team in preparation for the London 2012 Paralympics next year.

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part: “My shoulder kept dislocatingand I've now got arthritis of the shoul-der so I had surgery in December2010 to try and rectify it. It hasworked a little bit, but it has relapsedagain, so it's a case of waiting on theNHS list to get it sorted out. I justneed to get through the next 500days and I could do with playing inthe European Championship to putmy case forward to be in Team GB.It's our last major competition beforethe Paralympics next year.”

Andrew, like so many other eliteathletes across the country, alsostruggles with funding to competeat such a high level. And his ageplayed a large factor in notreceiving as much funding asother athletes: “Because of myage, I'm not eligible for SportsAidor TASS and if it wasn't for fundingfrom the Lincolnshire Elite AthleteProgramme (LEAP), I wouldn't beable to be in the position I am now. I know a lot ofParalympic athletes are in the same situation, but Ido struggle more because I’m that much older.”

Andrew also feels that the recession has played alarge part in companies and commercial businessesnot sponsoring athletes. “If you look at Beijing,sponsors were lining up to help athletes. For our[Paralympic] Games, because of the recession,no-one is able to give any money. Sometimes I don’teven need money, but ask for clothing or equipment,but still companies are finding it much harder to helpout.” And the confident father of two knows that youdon’t get anything unless you ask for it: “I asksponsors to help me out, and promise that I will helpthem in return by promoting their businesses orwearing their clothing, but it doesn’t always work!”

Sitting Volleyball is becoming more recognised forits importance throughout the UK and this couldhelp Andrew to secure more funding from localbusinesses. “It's massive worldwide. Believe it ornot, the number one team in the world is Iran,number two is Bosnia, number three is Egypt, andwe are ranked 16th in the world Recently, the top 12teams came to the UK to compete in a competition.We came 7th, which was great because we beat theAmericans 3-1 (Ranked 10th), and it's a great testa-ment toVolleyball England and their continuing missions to

sitting volleyball, volleyball, andbeach volleyball”, said Andrew.

There is a competitive natureto the sport, and Great Britainhas earned recent successagainst established countriessuch as USA, Canada andKazakhstan. “When I had my legamputated I googled‘Paralympic and disabilitysports’ and ended up emailingthe Paralympic Association totell them about my disability,and my abilities in sport. Theyinvited me to a Talent ID Day inLoughborough, which was thefirst of its kind, and although Iknew my age would be an issue,I tried out for volleyball. Thatwas five years ago now and I'vebeen doing it ever since.”

Being an athlete involves a lotof hard work, and Andrew ex-plained how much he has to do

and how much he has to sacrifice in order to be fitenough to compete: “I'm in full-time training in Lon-don and being away from the family is very hard. I’ma bit older than the rest of the team so that was hardtoo – an old man against a team of youngsters is abit daunting! And it’s full time, so I get up at 5.00am,train from 6.00am and work on the court or in thegym sometimes until 10.00pm, before starting againthe next day! It’s very hard work.”

Andrew is adamant about putting on a GB vest inLondon next year, and five years of hard work won’tgo to waste. “I'm going to keep going and going untilsomeone tells me that I’ve made the team. I’ve beenplaying sitting volleyball for five years and haverepresented Great Britain so many times. I’ve playedat every other major tournament apart from theParalympic Games and my ambition is to competefor GB in London next year.”

Of course, this is all 'ifs' and 'buts' because GreatBritain still has to qualify for London, and that is byno means a guarantee. However, if they do manageto qualify, then the squad is likely to be announcedin June or July next year, and Andrew is confident ofsecuring a place at the Paralympics: “We've put insome really good performances over the last 12months. A year ago we would have been finishingbottom, but we've beating teams we shouldn't haveincluding Canada, Kazakhstan and America. We aregetting better and better and I want to be a part ofthat squad.” Follow Andrew on Twitter: @skinnns

Despite funding issues, Andrew isdetermined to compete at the Games.

Because of my age I’m not eligiblefor Sports Aid funding...I strugglebecause I’m that much older

I’m going to keep goinguntil I’ve made the team

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Page 16: Championing Lincolnshire

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Page 17: Championing Lincolnshire

Do you think the 2012 Gameswill affect us in Lincolnshire?

Your Voice

Every issue, one of our reporters will be asking your opinion on issues surrounding the London2012 Games. This month Hayley Cook asked residents in Lincoln City Centre whether the 2012Games would affect Lincolnshire.

Jillian Thacker (centre) with friendsSophie Walker (6) and Hannah Walker(12) from North Hykeham, near Lincoln.“I’m not sure - it’s affecting most of the county asmore people are talking about sport and there aremore ways for people to play sport. I’ve seen afew things happening across Lincolnshire, but I’mnot sure if it will directly affect the county.”

Dean Brammer (20) from Lincoln.“No - we’re too far away from London for it to affectus, especially now. Perhaps nearer the timeOlympic-fever will set in like it does with the WorldCup and people will get excited. It won’t last though,no-one will be interested once it’s over.”

Ray Oxby fromGrimsby“Yes I think the Gameswill affect us here -both in professionaland amateur sports.And, with variousOlympic teams beingbased at camps allaround the county, thiscould provide potentialrevenue for theeconomy.

The big challengethough is sustainability- how do we carry onthe benefit after 2012?

Joseph Turner(10) and CassiaTurner (9) fromNorth Hykeham,near Lincoln.“Yes - The Olympicsmean that we takepart in more sportsat school which isgood, and moreadults might playmore. And we’re onlya few hours away toLondon by train sopeople can gettickets and go andsee sports at theOlympics.”

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8000 people willcarry theOlympic Torchon it’s journeythrough the UKnext year. Butwho will carry theFlame inLincolnshire andwhere did the thetradition of theTorch Relayoriginate?Bradley Kinginvestigates.

The 1936 Olympic Games in Berlintend to be remembered for the Nazi

Party, Adolf Hitler and a country thatwould later would spark the deadliestconflict in history.

But there was some good to come outof that Olympiad; Jesse Owens was themost successful competitor winning four

gold medals, and the German sportsadministrator Carl Diem introduced thetorch relay.

In June 1936, the flame of the ‘Olympictorch’ was lit at Olympia in Greece beforeembarking on an epic month-longjourney through Europe which, over 3000

kilometres later, concluded in Berlin withthe Olympic flame being lit.

The torch relay has beencommonplace ever since those Games.It is now an integral part of thecelebrations of each host city. And nextyear the world-renowned relay will stopoff in the historic city of Lincoln, with thegreat and good of Lincolnshire beingencouraged to apply to carry the torch.

One of those hopeful of beingchosen to be a torchbearer is 34-year-oldDan Hargreaves. Dan heads up the‘Energize’ project at the New Life Churchin Lincoln. The project aims to providepositive activities, such as activity daysand band weeks, for the youth of the cityin an attempt to inspire them to achievetheir potential and improve their selfesteem.

And he certainly seems to be doinga good job of leading the programme. Atthe time of writing, almost 200 people

Carrying the Flamefor Lincolnshire

The Flame will begin it’sjourney on Friday 19th May2012, and visit Lincoln on27th June 2011.

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The Torch Relay meandered through the Great Wall of China on it’sway to the Beijing Games in 2008. Photograph credited to Edwin Lee.

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have joined a Facebook group with the aim of promotingDan’s torch bearing chances. “I am so excited about [theprospect of] carrying the torch,” said Dan.“It would be areal honour to represent this amazing city. I’m not toosure of my credentials but I have worked with loads ofyoung people over the years who have beenappreciative of the work we’ve done. “I think the peoplewho do get selected need to be good role models to thecommunity, and especially young people, and know thatthey are serving the city. They also need to bepassionate about the work they do.”

The flame will begin its journey on Friday, 19th May,2012, when it beaches at Land’s End, direct fromOlympia. It will then set off on a voyage which will see itcarried by thousands of people, just like Dan, first up thewest coast of the country before moving into NorthernIreland and Scotland and then back down into northernEngland.

On Wednesday, 27th June, via Cleethorpes, thetorch will arrive in Lincoln and stay overnight, where anOlympic celebration will take place at YarboroughLeisure Centre.

When in the county, it will be a rare moment for thepeople of Lincolnshire to be in the presence of theOlympic torch. It will be made of aluminium alloy andweigh around 800 grams – meaning it won’t be tooheavy for the thousands of youngsters expected to beamong those carrying it nationwide.

The youngsters and other bearers will be representedby the 8000 holes in the Coventry-manufactured torch –the same amount of people who will carry it over its nineweek journey.

Sebastian Coe, chairperson of the London OrganisingCommittee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic

Games (LOCOG), believes the design of the torch willmake the relay extra special:

“The torch that carries the Olympic flame during theOlympic torch relay is one of the most recognisable andsignificant symbols of an Olympic Games,” said Coe.“Members of the public right across the UK are busynominating inspiring people to be torchbearers and I amthrilled we have a beautifully designed, engineered andcrafted torch for them to carry. Integral to the design arethe 8,000 circles, a lasting representation of thetorchbearer stories of personal achievement orcontribution to their local community that will beshowcased with every step of the relay.”

Despite still being over a year away, it is clear thatthe Games are beginning to excite the general publicand a genuine anticipation of London 2012 is continuingto evolve.

Potential torchbearer Dan Hargreaves is well awareof the significance of the Games, and believes it willmotivate people to take up new sports. “I’m very eagerfor the Games to begin,” he said. “I hope it inspireseveryone to volunteer, to get involved and be proud ofLincolnshire. “It really is a once in a lifetime occurrenceand I believe it will inspire so many young people to getinto sports and team games and that excites me. It willbe interesting to see whathappens afterwards. “The spectacle itself will be superbtoo and the whole world’s eyes will be on our country – itwill be a real challenge but also a chance to show whatis amazing about the United Kingdom.”

Do you know someone who is trulyinspirational?

All of these people have been nominated, but it’s nottoo late to nominate someone you know to carry theOlympic torch. Visit:www.cokezone.co.uk/olympicgameswww.lloydstsb.com/carrytheflamewww.samsung.com/london2012

I am so excited about theprospect of carrying the Torch.It would be a real honour torepresent this amazing city

Potential Torchbearer Dan Hargreaves

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The Flame will arrive in the UK on Friday 19th May 2012from Olympia. On 27th June it will stop in Lincoln.

Page 20: Championing Lincolnshire

Who said the OlympicsIgniting Ambition Festival 2011

Every issue, one of ourreporters will be lookingat what other benefitsthe London 2012Games will have forLincolnshire. GemmaPass looked at theCultural Olympiad andthe masses of artsprojects taking placeacross the county tocelebrate London 2012.

The Igniting Ambition Festival is a range of projects taking place in Lincolnshire, NorthamOctober 2011 in the lead up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The programme w

celebrating the cultural heritage of the three areas whilst raising awareness of environmentwell-being.

The festival itself will also provide many opportunities to unite cultural organisations and spromote new innovative co-operation between them. The project will signify the East MidlaOlympiad, inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Here are some of Lincolnshire’s celebrations of the London 2012 Games:

Knit2getherKnit2gether is a unique project being run acrossLincolnshireto work with diverse communities to create a knitted athleticstrack and mascots using natural, recycled and synthetic yarns.

It is being run by Unique Farm Studios and 3D mixed artistCarol Parker, and the finished pieces will be exhibited acrossLincolnshire. For more information about the project visit:www.knit2getherlincs.wordpress.com

Get Involved: Stamford Arts Centre, Monday 1st August2011, Various techniques will be taught in a creative familyworkshop, leaving you with a knitted mascot to go home with.

Moving ColourMoving colour is asporting relay of fourdance productionsbrought together bydancers and fashiondesigners fromLincolnshire andHelsingborg in Sweden.

The production wasperformed at the SOFestival 2011 inSkegness as part ofLondon 2012 OpenWeekend from 22nd -24th July and at theHelsingborg Festival aweek later.

soundSPORTsoundSPORT offers lively, internationally-based musicworkshops at sporting event throughout the summer. It hasbeen brought together by Lincolnshire Music’s DevelopmentAgency and Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, and isofficially recognised as part of the UK Cultural Olympiadthrough the Inspire Programme.For more information visit: www.soudlincs.org

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Knitting together at theSpringfields Festival, Spalding

Page 21: Championing Lincolnshire

s were all about sport?

SO Festival 2011

Inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and held on theLondon 2012 Open Weekend for the past three years,, the SO Festival in Skegnessis one of the largest cultural celebrations of arts and dance in the East Midlands.

The three day event, from Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th July 2011, proved to be ahuge success with art exhibitions, performances, sports activities and much more.

Highlights for 2011 included:

Games Time; A spectacular production which was the first of four special events tomark the countdown to The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.Volunteers from across the county, aged 8 - 89, performed at the event.

Architects of Air; A luminarium and network of connected chambers constructedfrom brightly coloured translucent plastic, which was inflated in Tower Gardens forthe duration of the festival.

Granny Turismo; A formation shopping trolley team who had previously performedat Glastonbury.

Volleyball England Beach Tour; Beach Volleyball teams from across the countycompeted in this Beach Tour, getting ready for the Olympics next year!

BBC Lincolnshire Introducing; Music artists from across Lincolnshire were given thechance to perform at the Embassy Theatre as part of the Festival.

Circo Rum Ba Ba; A fusion of spectacular theatre with a diverse range of circusskills and disguise. This year, two scurvy pirates sailed their way through thecrowds.

For more information about the SO Festival visit www..sofestival.org.

mptonshire and Rutland from May -ill be a showcase of projects thattal issues and improving health and

smaller enterprises together tonds’ contribution to the UK Cultural

21

Moving Colour at theSO Festival 2011

soundSPORT at theLincolnshire Show 2011

Games Time was a highlight of theSO Festival 2011 in Skegness

Page 22: Championing Lincolnshire

Every issue, one of our reporters will put the spotlight on a famous Lincolnshireathlete. This month Bradley King looked at what makes Holbeach-born andGrantham-based Geoff Capes one of the county’s most celebrated athletes.

THERE are two sides toformer Olympic shot

putter Geoff Capes. On theone hand, there is thefearsome shot putter of the1970s who went on tocompete in the World’sStrongest Man Championshipsof the following decade.

On the other hand, there isthe 61-year-old who currentlylives in the tranquilsurroundings of StokeRochford, just south ofGrantham, where he hasfulfilled the role as president ofthe Budgerigar Society.

A transition has undoubtedlyoccurred over the past fortyyears. Born in Holbeach fouryears after the Second WorldWar, Capes had alwayspossessed a natural strength.However that was not his onlyasset. He was a respectable sprinter and managed torecord a personal best of 23.7s in the 200m. As a result,it was not until Stuart Storey, the Lincolnshire-bornformer Olympic hurdler, spotted Capes that he began tohone his dynamism and channel it into becoming asuccessful shot putter. It was that guidance whicheventually led Capes to compete at the elite level ofBritish athletics.

His first major championships was the CommonwealthGames in 1970, but it wasn’t until four years later in NewZealand that Capes made his name on the internationalstage, winning a Gold medal in the shot put.

He dominated the domestic scene throughout the1970s, but it wasn’t until 1976 in Montreal that Capesmade his Olympic debut. He had failed to make it pastthe qualifying round four years earlier, but was one of thefavourites for the gold medal in Canada. Unfortunately,Capes failed to replicate the throw which handed himthird place in qualifying – his best result of 20.36 metres

was only enough for sixthplace, light years behind EastGermany’s Udo Beyer, theeventual Gold medallist.

Not to be deterred though,Capes returned to NorthAmerica two years later whenthe Commonwealth Gameswent to Edmonton. Again heclaimed the top prize with athrow of 19.77m. As hadoccurred four years earlier,Capes’ victory meant he wouldgo into the Moscow OlympicGames in two years time asone of the frontrunners in theevent.That expectation andbelief was multiplied when aneleventh consecutive top threefinish at the AAAChampionships was coupledwith his breaking of the Britishand Commonwealth records.Capes threw 21.68m, beating

the previous record by a relatively massive 77cm. Withhopes high though, frustration promptly followed.

Restricted by a back injury, Capes could only managea fifth place finish in Moscow, even though gold medallistVladimir Kiselyov only threw 21.35 metres an Olympicrecord, but over 30 centimetres short of Capes’ throwonly months earlier.

Turning professional immediately after the Moscowgames, Capes began his domination of the HighlandGames and World’s Strongest Man competitions.

He won the Highlands Games six times and was theWorld’s Strongest Man twice, finishing above the likes ofJón Páll Sigmarsson and Bill Kazmaier in the latter – twoof the most celebrated Strongmen of all time.

To this day, Capes remains one of Lincolnshire’s mostcelebrated sportspeople ever.

For more information about Geoff Capes, visit:www.geoffcapes.com

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The fearsome shot putter and World’s Strongest Man

Geoff CapesSpotlight on...

Geoff Capes; former Olympian shot putter,World’s Strongest Man and President of theBudgerigar Society.

Page 23: Championing Lincolnshire

Do you wish youhad MORE MONEYto deliver sportin Lincolnshire?

We can help

Sportivate is a Sport England initiative to encourage “semi-sporty”teenagers and young adults to take part in sport. Lincolnshire Sports Partnership has £395,000 to allocate to ‘Sportivate’ projectsover the next four years.

Sports clubs, schools, community groups, NGBs, Local Authorities, Universities,Youth clubs, 6th Form and Further Educational Colleges, Leisure facilities and workplaces targeting 14 – 25 year olds can apply for funding.

Download the Funding Application Form online atwww.lincolnshiresports.comFor details contact [email protected] or 01522 585 580The deadline for funding applications is: Friday 19th August 2011

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Page 24: Championing Lincolnshire

Championing Lincolnshire has been produced byLincolnshire Sports Partnership and the LincolnSchool of Journalism at the University of Lincoln.

For more information, contact Hayley Cook:Telephone: 01522 585 580Email: [email protected]

www.championinglincolnshire.co.uk


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