Olympic activities at Cardiff University
28 March 2012
Selected students and staff from Cardiff are celebrating as it was announced that a trio of Torchbearers have been chosen to represent the University as part of Samsung’s nomination programme for the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
Ruby Miller, School of Healthcare Studies
In addition to its global search for the world’s unsung heroes, Samsung, a presenting partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay teamed up with 31 university partners across the UK last year to create this unique Torchbearer nomination programme. Selecting from staff, students and the community around the university, the programme aimed to find individuals who always go the extra mile and was designed to reflect the core value of the Olympic movement and the rich heritage of each institution – helping Samsung achieve its ambition of making London 2012 Everyone’s Olympic Games.
Guylee Simmonds, Welsh School of Architecture
The three lucky Torchbearers, Ruby Miller, a student in the School of Healthcare Studies, Guylee Simmonds, a student in the Welsh School of Architecture, and Stuart Vanstone, Head of Sport at the University will each carry the Olympic Flame through Cardiff as it travels on its 70 day journey before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Stuart Vanstone, Head of Sport
Stuart Vanstone comments: “The announcement that I am one of the London 2012 Torchbearers is fantastic and very exciting. Furthermore the opportunity for Ruby and Guylee to run with the torch in Cardiff is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We have been working extensively with Samsung, one of the torch relay presenting partners and are grateful for the opportunity they have given to us.
“Alongside this, the numerous projects that Cardiff is running ahead of the Games will have a lasting legacy for the University and the city and places us at the forefront of Olympic activity in Wales.”
The University representatives make up part of the 8,000 Torchbearers who will carry the Olympic Flame across the UK. Starting in Land’s End on 19th May 2012, the Olympic Flame’s journey will reach more than 1000 cities, towns and villages across the UK, with 95% of the UK population being within one hour’s distance of this historic event. The Olympic Flame will be travelling through the streets of Cardiff from 25-26 May 2012, with local street celebrations taking place along the route. The Olympic Flame will finish its epic route and arrive at the Olympic Stadium in London on 27th July 2012 to mark the start of the Olympic Games.
Olympic activities at Cardiff
The University recently welcomed promising boxing stars from underdeveloped nations to Wales to help give them the best possible chance of qualifying for the London Olympics.
The boxers, who included women for the first time in Olympic history, attended a demanding Road to London’ training camp, run by the Amateur International Boxing Association and supported by the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association.
Three boxing rings were set up at the Cardiff University Sports Training Village, along with 15 punchbags and the latest in conditioning equipment for the 51 male boxers and 17 women. Along with an intensive training programme the boxers got the chance to find out more about Cardiff, Wales and Welsh culture.
The largest of the boxing rings is the only Olympic specification ring in Wales at the moment and is remaining in Wales after the training camp as part of the Olympic legacy.
During the camp, physiotherapy support was provided by a team led by Dr Nicki Phillips of the School of Healthcare Studies.
Dr Phillips – who has been chief physiotherapist to Team GB at previous Olympic Games - is leading the ‘Physio’s supporting athletes across all abilities’ programme which is combining support for disabled and able-bodied sport by training qualified and student physiotherapists for London 2012.
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