The 11-time Paralympic champion and Visa ambassador Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson was just one of the British athletics greats in attendance along with 400 metres runner Katharine Merry and Steve Parry, who won Olympic bronze medals at the 2000 and 2004 Games respectively.

The trio led a series of seminars to ensure that British athletes have the best preparation possible for the Olympics and Paralympics while the London 2012 chairman, Sebastian Coe, gave a welcome speech to the athletes.

Baroness Grey-Thompson spoke about living up to the high expectations placed on athletes, while Merry focused on how to deal with competing on the biggest stage of all, drawing on her experience of running in the 112,000 seat stadium in Sydney in 2000 alongside the home favourite Cathy Freeman.

Parry then shared his experience of how best to manage friends and family during Games time, plus the potential distractions of being based in a multi-sport village with thousands of other competitors.

"There will be a huge expectation on any athlete competing at London 2012 and it's vital that this is channelled positively and doesn't inhibit performance in any way," said Baroness Grey-Thompson.

"Thanks to the Summit, hosted by Team 2012 and Visa, myself and the other former athletes will be able to share what we've learned through our years of competing and make sure that each and every athlete performs to the best of their ability at London 2012."

The Athlete Summit was created by Team 2012, presented by Visa, which is the official fundraising programme for 1.200 athletes, and each of the athletes in attendance at the Olympic Park today will now report back to their respective sports and fellow athletes following the day's events.


The Summit included a tour of the Olympic Park, taking in the impressive Velodrome, Aquatics Centre and Basketball Arena.

With the aim of raising up to £25 million ($39 million/€30 million) overall, Team 2012 funds are invested in key areas including coaching, travel to competitions, medical support, sports psychology and kit and equipment.

Team 2012 contributes to a world-class programme of support which will help ensure that British athletes are the best prepared, best equipped, best supported and most ambitious group of elite sportsmen and women at London 2012.

The BMX cyclist Liam Phillips, one of the athletes in attendance, said: "It's really great to hear from some of our greatest Olympians and Paralympians about how they prepared for the Games, and to learn from their experiences.

"I was lucky enough to go to Beijing in 2008, but a Home Games will be unlike any other. I think any small advantage we can get like this via Team 2012 for our preparation will help give us the edge next summer, and as the margins in sport are so fine, that's really valuable."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2011: Exclusive - London 2012 deal with News International under review over phone-hacking scandal
January 2011: News International to get "unrivalled access" to London 2012 Olympians and Paralympians
October 2010: Exclusive - Visa to launch activation programme for London 2012 before Christmas
October 2010: Visa aim for Higher, Stronger, Faster in London 2012 build-up
July 2010: Small business urged to back British medal drive for London 2012