adiZone's shaping sport in Southampton

Mo Farah, Team GB athlete

adiZone's shaping sport in Southampton

Mo Farah,
26 Mar 2010

After spending the morning training, I took the afternoon off and headed down to Southampton. I was invited down to Mansel Park in Millbrook to open the latest brand new adiZone.

adiZones are multisport facilities in the shape of the London 2012 logo. This is the 16th adiZone that has been installed across the country and they are going to continue to pop up across the UK in the next few months.

The zones are inspired by Olympic and Paralympic sports that include basketball, football and a tennis area. They include a climbing wall, an outdoor gym and an open area to do some dancing, gymnastics or anything else you fancy doing, basically there is something for everyone to get involved with.

Craig David and Mo Farah 

I was joined at the opening by singer Craig David, Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis and Olympic diver Pete Waterfield. It was great to meet Craig and have a chat to him and find out what he is up to these days, he also gave the local crowds a special performance, singing one of his new songs. Craig grew up just down the road from Mansel Park and it was great to see him take the time out to come back and support the local area.
                   
A lot of local people came down to the opening and it was cool to see the  positive impact that the staging of the Games in 2012 is already having on people all over the country. I hope the British team win as many medals as possible at London 2012 (me included!).

I know we are all working hard to do our country proud, but I also think its important that the Games have a bigger role to play by encouraging people to get active and do more sport. It would be cool to think that one of the young kids down at the adiZone could compete for Team GB in the 2016 or 2020 Olympic or Paralympic Games.
                    
I also got a real kick out of seeing an image of me on one of the adiZones walls. I was in good company with the likes of David Beckham, Chris Hoy and Jess Ennis on the walls next to me. It really motivates me to think that I can play a part in getting people into sport and it will definitely motivate me while I am out doing my early morning runs!

I wish I could have stayed down in Southampton longer, but after a couple of hours I had to jump back on a train to London to make sure I was in time to catch the Arsenal beat Porto 4-0, the perfect way to round of a great day! I played a lot of football when I was younger and even played a few games for Brentford F.C, however, it was an easy decision to choose running over football.

2010 is an important year for me with some big challenges coming up. I have the European Cross Country in Poland and then a big summer including the new Diamond League competition and the European Championships.

Even with London 2012 in the back of my mind, I'm fully focused on this season and want to make sure that I keep improving and putting in good performances on the world stage, I know that through hard work you will be rewarded.

1 Comment on this post
01 April 2010, Imo said:

Good luck with everything! Every one in my home town is supporting you 100%! It's very exciting thzt you have gotten to meet all those wicked peeps! i am v.jealous!

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