Steve Carr

My Torchbearer nomination is Steve Carr. I met Steve at a Sportshall event just before my 12th birthday and he persuaded me to try his athletics club training sessions. Previously I'd tried cross country. I'd won races crying, struggling with asthma. I hated running! Steve recognised that I needed gentle encouragement without pressure. He taught me to long jump, high jump, throw the javelin and discus, and introduced me to pole vaulting. Our Tuesday sessions were relaxed, filled with fun and laughter and he never pushed me. I discovered I loved running! Steve said he was an athlete's GP and that one day I'd need a consultant and after a couple of years he knew I needed referring to a specialist sprints coach. Without Steve's initial input I wouldn't have become a GB Junior international sprinter. Today Steve continues to devote hours to nurturing other young athletes along their way.