Olympic ball in Cheshire's court
Posted: Friday, 11th May 2012
Solomon Islands sprinter Pauline Kwalea in the sport science testing laboratories with Sir Charles Allen
EXERCISE and Sport Science have scooped a hat-trick of awards for their hosting of the Cheshire pre-Olympic Training Camp.
The ‘camp’ which fuses conditioning and cultural preparation for Pacific Island athletes with sporting engagement in the local community was recognised by Podium – the educational arm of London 2012.
The team which has welcomed sprinters, boxers and volleyball players from Vanuatu, Kiribati and the Solomons won Bronze for these global links, and Silver for outstanding research contribution from RCUK.
This referred to an eye-tracking project in target shooting managed by Dr Paul Holmes and secured on the back of our long standing relationship with the shooting federation.
Olympic values
We were also one of six projects short-listed, from over 230, for the blue-ribbon Coubertain Award for Olympic Values. This was determined by public vote we came 2nd in this vote with some 29% of the votes.
Professor Neil Fowler, head of ESS, said: “It is a fantastic achievement to have been nominated and to come second in such company is a testament to the quality of the Partnership and its potential for long lasting legacy.”
The awards coincided with a visit this Wednesday by Sir Charles Allen, Chair of the London 2012 Nations and Regions Group.
On a tour of the region, he visited just two camps – at Leigh and at Crewe, where he observed conditioning testing in the university’s £10m Exercise and Sport Science centre with Olympic-qualified Solomon Island sprinters Pauline Kwalea and Chris Walasi.
The pair arrived in Crewe on Tuesday, 8 May and will train at the camp until going down to the Olympic Village on July 24.
Superb facilities
Chris said: “I have never seen sport science facilities of this quality before. It is going to be a real advantage for Pauline and me before the races start”
Sir Charles Allen, said: “It is fantastic to see the North West and Crewe welcome athletes so warmly and professionally ahead of the Games.
“I was impressed at Crewe with how you are linking the community into the Games. It is a great coup for the town to have the North west’s only beach volleyball court!
“It is great to see visiting athletes, students and the wider community coming together in the Olympic run-up.”
Sir Charles was welcomed by Dennis Dunn, the dean and his visit was facilitated by Phil Cook. The event was featured by various media outlets including the BBC, Granada, The Sentinel and the Financial Times.