London 2012 blog

I love watching athletics so I'd always thought I had it pretty much figured out…how wrong was I though…!? Yesterday we had presentation for staff on the sport – one of a series that will help us learn about each of the Olympic and Paralympic sports featuring in the 2012 Games.

It gave me a great insight in to the different aspects of what makes athletics such an amazing sport as well as getting me in the know about some remarkable facts about the Olympic and Paralympic Games that I never knew!

The presentation started off with a quick history lesson – which almost took me back to my school days… except there was no classroom, no blackboard and no boring teacher for that matter.

In fact, the presenters of the session were FAR from boring… as they were the heroes that are (the rather lovely) Triple Jump champ Jonathan Edwards, Paralympic Gold medallist Danny Crates and LOCOG's own Catherine Murphy (who competed in the 4x400 in Sydney).

Me with Jonathan:

So after Jonathan gave us a rundown of the history behind Athletics and spoke about the ancient Games, the founder of the modern games and the beginning of the Paralympic movement, we were told about Athletics and venues in 2012 by Director of Sport at LOCOG Debbie Jevans, and we were given details about differences between the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Next Danny and Catherine went on to talk about the different disciplines in track and field events.

The highlight of the session was not, surprisingly, "Guess the distance of Jonathan’s demonstrated triple jump" but was when ODA Chair John Armitt tried his hand at it. He was a great sport for getting up and having a go – so well done to him!

So with the session rounded off with a question and answer session with Jonathan, Danny and Catherine, I felt very clued up on and was ready to share my knowledge about the wonderful sport that is Athletics!

The Staff Sport Briefing – was a huge success it must be said! (I really do feel like an expert now!) Can’t wait for the next one!