Claire Wright and Mark Hunter, both of whom will represent Team GB in trampolining and rowing respectively, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, have been training at Everyone Active centers before departing for Beijing.
Claire, 28, has trained and been coached at OLGA, the Gymnastics and Trampolining Centre and School of Excellence at Rossmore Leisure Centre, operated by SLM.
Claire will be the only Team GB representative in this section. Claire competed in two trials to qualify for the Beijing Olympic squad, culminating in the European Championship held in Denmark, where she secured her Olympic qualification.
Commenting on Claire’s success, centre manager, Sean Gabriel, said, “This Borough of Poole facility has become the platform for Olympians with Claire the latest in a number of gymnasts who have gone on to achieve this highest level. With the recent announcement that Rossmore Leisure Centre has been awarded Olympic training status for 2012 in the areas of trampolining, rhythmic gymnastics and artistic gymnastics we and everyone at SLM are delighted to be supporting Claire in her Olympic dream.”
Mark Hunter has been described by Sir Steven Redgrave as ‘the best prospect Britain has for an Olympic gold’. He has been using Hornchurch Leisure Centre as a base for all his dry training (gym work) and is hopeful that he can bring back a medal for all his efforts.
Mark and rowing partner Zac Purchase are favourites in the double lightweight rower event after a brilliant season, remaining unbeaten this year.
“I know there are a lot of expectations,” says Mark. “It is a pressure but we also put a lot of pressure on ourselves. We are very different,” says Mark of his fellow rower. “Zac is 22 and I’m 30, so there is youth and experience. Zac is not scared of anything and I have probably got more of a sense of planning and strategy. But when we come together in a boat we are very focused.”
He returns to his old school regularly to talk to pupils about getting into sport and often trains at Hornchurch Sports Centre. He used to be a regular at the old gym on the site.
“I used to come here as often as I could and because they knew what I was trying to do they gave me free membership,” says Mark. “It’s good to come back and see the people I grew up with.”
At the end of July Mark and Claire head off to China with the other British athletes to prepare for the opening ceremony on 8 August.
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For further information please contact:
Claire James on 0161 2828661 or 07890 922757
Email: claire@cj-consulting.org.uk