Six triathletes carry Olympic Torch across Southern England
18th July 2012Six inspirational triathletes, the youngest of them just 15, did their sport proud last week by taking part in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay on its journey around the UK.
The first of them, Verity Westgate carried the Torch through Kidlington on Monday (9 July). Verity completed her first triathlon this year at the GE Blenheim Triathlon in June and has done a number of open water swims to raise money for charity.
Dominic John then carried the Torch through Maidenhead on Tuesday (10 July). Dominic has helped a number of young athletes to develop their personal skills by building relationships with benefactor organisations. He has also arranged work experience opportunities for athletes moving on from their sporting careers.
Dominic had this to say about his Torchbearing: “I am hugely honoured to be chosen as an Olympic Torchbearer as it is my interest in triathlon that has helped make it happen.”
On Wednesday (11 July) Newbury’s Matt Gaskell had the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame through Reading. After losing his aunt to cancer, Matt, then just 18, helped to organise an unsupported expedition to the South Pole. He became one of the youngest people ever to walk there, and in doing so, he helped raise £150,000 to build a new cancer treatment unit. The unit was opened in 2010 and now delivers around 10,000 treatments per year.
The following day (Thursday 12 July) saw Nicola Webb, chairperson of Salisbury Triathlon Club, carrying the Torch through Shaftesbury in Dorset. Nicola is described in her nomination as ‘an inspiration to all within the club and local community’. She is also one of the Salisbury club’s coaches, and has raced over all distances from sprint to Ironman.
The youngest of the six, 15-year-old Joe Arundel from Bournemouth, is described in his nomination as ‘dedicated, driven, enthusiastic, and a motivator of others’. Having once been a promising boxer, Joe is now a keen triathlete and runner, who has represented his school, county and region over his preferred distance of 3,000m.
Speaking before carrying the Torch through Hamworthy near Poole on Friday, Joe said: “As a relatively young triathlete, carrying the Olympic Flame is an honour for me. The opportunity to carry the Flame will inspire me to continue to train hard and become as successful as possible in my future as a triathlete.”
Chris Goodwin completed the triathlon torchbearers last week on Saturday 14 July in Southampton. Chris has won a silver medal at the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in 2010, along with a gold medal at the 2009 ETU European Championships in the Tri 6 category.
Verity, Dominic, Matt, Nicola, Joe and Chris are among over fifty triathletes chosen to be Torchbearers, representing every level of the sport in the UK from volunteers to elite triathletes. Triathlon’s Torchbearers cover an impressive age range, from 12-year-old Grace Jordan to 91-year-old Arthur Gilbert.
An average of 115 Torchbearers per day will carry the Olympic Flame during its 8,000-mile journey around the UK this summer before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July. Its journey will take the Flame to within 10 miles of 95% of the UK population.
The triathlon community will also be looking forward to the triathlon events, which are set to be the most memorable of the London 2012 Olympic Games with the women’s race taking place on Saturday 4 August at 9am and the men’s on Tuesday 7 August at 11:30am.. Triathlon will be one of the few free-to-view sports during the London 2012 Olympic Games, with much of Hyde Park open and un-ticketed during the events.
Fans can watch the action at a number of iconic London landmarks including the south side of the Serpentine, The Wellington Arch, and Buckingham Palace, as well as plenty of areas within Hyde Park to view the event.