Tony Collins

Tony is a wonderful example of a young man overcoming problems to participate in the sport of athletics. As was the case with his younger brother Neill (see separate nomination), Tony was born with learning disabilities and was educated at a special school. When he was 14, he joined Havering Mayesbrook Athletic Club training with a middle distance group. His limitless enthusiasm for the sport saw him improve rapidly and become a regular member of the Club's young athletes' teams. In more recent years, Tony worked through the junior and senior ranks competing regularly at distances between 800m and 3000m. His talent led to him being selected some 14 years ago to run for the Great Britain team for athletes with Learning Disabilities and, in the intervening years, Tony has been a regular member of the team competing all over Europe and as far afield as Brazil, South Africa and Australia. He is an excellent example of a young amn who has successfully overcome considerable difficulty in everyday life to achieve at a high level on the sporting stage. Being involved in the London 2012 Torch Relay would be a fitting acknowledgement of his achievements. May I recommend that, if selected, Tony should be allowed to run with his brother Neill.